Hatem Bazian, a lecturer at the University of California, Berkeley, is facing renewed scrutiny over his alleged role in fostering antisemitic content and activism within educational settings. A recent tweet from Rhyen Staley highlighted long-standing concerns, stating, "Anyone familiar with Bazian is not at all shocked. Other than the slip up. He is for sure one of the leading actors behind not just the activism, but antisemitic content working its way into schools." This social media commentary underscores a history of controversy surrounding the academic.
Bazian, a continuing lecturer in UC Berkeley's Department of Ethnic Studies, is widely recognized as a co-founder of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), an organization active on college campuses across North America. Founded in the early 1990s at UC Berkeley, SJP chapters have frequently organized events and campaigns critical of Israeli policies, which have often led to accusations of antisemitism by various Jewish and pro-Israel groups. His involvement with SJP has provided a significant platform for his views.
Critics point to numerous instances where Bazian's actions and statements have drawn condemnation. In 2017, he apologized for retweeting images that were widely described as antisemitic, including one depicting a stereotypical Orthodox Jewish man. More recently, in 2018, he tweeted that "The ‘Jewish nation’ is the central myth of Zionism. It needs to be dismantled," a statement that critics argue crosses the line from political criticism into antisemitism.
Watchdog organizations like the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the Middle East Forum's Campus Watch have extensively documented alleged antisemitic incidents linked to SJP activities and Bazian's influence. These incidents range from the promotion of antisemitic tropes and the demonization of Jewish students to the disruption of pro-Israel events on university campuses. Such groups contend that Bazian's foundational role in SJP has contributed to a hostile environment for Jewish students.
Despite the persistent allegations and calls for accountability from various groups, Bazian has maintained his position at UC Berkeley, where he teaches courses on subjects including Palestine Studies and Colonialism. His supporters, however, often defend his academic freedom and his advocacy for Palestinian rights, arguing that criticism of Israel should not be conflated with antisemitism. The ongoing debate highlights the complex challenges universities face in balancing free speech with concerns about hate speech.