: Tensions Between Muslims and Jews Trouble College Campuses

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Weeks after a volatile demonstation/counter-demonstation at San Francisco State University, officials at the school have been under pressure by both sides to respond to hate crime accusations. The initial university response was to find fault with a pro-Pal flyer used in April that was quickly used by pro-Israel organizations to bolster claims of anti-Semitism (and quickly denounced by pro-Pal activists as excessive and unintentional). This week, the university responded by charging three with hate crimes (on both sides) for hateful speech and vandalism, but acknowledging that some on the Pal side tried to diffuse tensions (which wasn’t originally reported). The situation mirrors others like it at universities across America. But despite the tension, the most recent Stanford demonstration (and subsequent counter demonstration) this week featured a speech by liberal Bay Area Rabbi Michael Lerner (of Tikkun fame), who found enough of a common ground with both sides to lead them (with arms joined) in an unexpected combined song for peace. Aww.

Zahed Amanullah is associate editor of altmuslim.com.  He is based in London, England.