UCLA Student Council Faces Antisemitism Charges Over Hostage Event Letter

The Undergraduate Students Association Council (USAC) at the University of California, Los Angeles, is facing accusations of antisemitism after passing a letter on April 14 condemning a campus event featuring Omer Shem Tov. Shem Tov, a former hostage held by Hamas for 505 days, spoke at the university for Holocaust Remembrance Day.

In its letter, the USAC alleged the event promoted a "single narrative" that justified violence against Palestinians and created a harmful climate for Arab, Muslim, and Palestinian students. Hillel at UCLA and Students Supporting Israel condemned the council's actions as anti-Jewish and anti-truth. Shem Tov criticized the student leaders, arguing that dismissing survivor testimony to maintain a specific worldview reflects a misalignment of values.

University of California, Los Angeles administration supported the event, describing the USAC condemnation as unwarranted and antithetical to university values. USAC General Representative Talia Davood alleged the letter was intentionally passed while she was absent to avoid her input. Student body president Diego Bollo acknowledged the statement passed by a narrow margin and announced an internal review of the council's drafting process.