In California, Sonoma State University President Michael Lee was emboldened enough to take it upon himself to agree to the demands of campus pro-Hamas protesters to move toward divesting from Israel.
But it got him in hot water: “Sonoma State president placed on leave after announcing deal with pro-Palestinian protesters,” by Jose Fabian, CBS News, May 17, 2024:
Sonoma State University President Mike Lee was placed on leave Wednesday following an email where he announced he and campus protesters had reached an agreement on divestment from Israel.
The email, posted by the student group, shows the other key agreement points.
Establishing an Advisory Council of Students for Justice in Palestine
Disclosure of investments and divestment, seeking ethical alternatives
Academic boycott of academic and research institutions that are sponsored by, or represent, the Israeli state
Recognize Palestinian identity and introduce historic curriculum
Calling for a permanent cease-fire in Gaza
Lee didn’t acquire “appropriate approvals” before charging ahead with his own agreement with the pro-Hamas campus occupiers. A backlash ensued, including reaction from California State Senator Scott Weiner, who also exposed the underhandedness of other California universities:
Yesterday the President of Sonoma State University aligned the campus with BDS, a movement whose goal is the destruction of Israel, home to 7M Jews.
Several other UC & CSU campuses are doing this more subtly. Sonoma State simply said the quiet part out loud.
The mask is off. ? pic.twitter.com/DDUiIzKcTG
— Senator Scott Wiener (@Scott_Wiener) May 15, 2024
Lee’s superiors put him on leave for insubordination. And now, Lee has retired early; in other words, he quit.
His quitting may have to do with embarrassment over his public humiliation, or perhaps he now intends to engage in pro-Hamas activism — funded by Qatari money and some of “Biden’s biggest donors.”
Pikachu says
Did the only right thing.
Keith O says
One down, how many to go??
Publicly supporting terrorism should also lead to a lifelong ban from any work in the education sector.
OLD GUY says
Totally agree, put lets look at the foreign money pouring into higher education from not so friendly countries. Those contributions also impact the attitude and what is being taught and foreign propaganda be used on our young people.