Aaron Lerner, the executive director of UCLA Hillel, wrote in an op-ed for the Daily Bruin that National Students for Justice in Palestine (NSJP)’s conference logo turned the UCLA Bruin into “a symbol of anti-Semitism.”
NSJP’s logo shows a bear playing with a Palestinian kite; the left half of the kite is shaped like Israel and is colored in red. NSJP has said that the bear is supposed to be a general California grizzly bear; others interpret the bear as the UCLA mascot, Joe Bruin.
Lerner argued that the kite “resembles actual petrol kite-bombs, which Hamas, a terrorist organization, launches into Israel to start fires and terrorize the population.”
“NSJP is openly broadcasting its solidarity with Hamas terrorists by co-opting UCLA’s cherished mascot in this fashion,” Lerner wrote. “Standing for Palestinian human rights is one thing; advocating for violence is another. This use of the university’s trademark should offend all Bruins, regardless of their political sympathies.”
Lerner added that several SJP leaders have uttered violent anti-Semitic statements such as “Kill all Jews.”
“The group now mocks our cherished symbol,” Lerner wrote. “Sure, a bear flying a Palestinian kite might not be perceived as a hateful message at face value. But the political context of the imagery – and the history it reminds us of – cannot be ignored.”
Lerner acknowledged that not all SJP members are anti-Semites and genuinely care about achieving peace in the region, but he encourages them to start a group that is independent of SJP.
“A hate group can’t advocate for human rights,” Lerner wrote. “But people who really care about Palestinians, Jews and the future of humanity in the region can still do important work without demonizing and attacking others.”
UCLA issued a cease-and-desist letter to NSJP regarding the logo; NSJP agreed to remove the UCLA name from the logo, although the logo remains intact in otherwise. The university seems to be fine with this modification.
The conference is set to take place on Nov. 16-18.
