California Faculty Association denies 'blatant antisemitism' claims by Jewish orgs

"The California Faculty Association rejected allegations of "blatant antisemitism" by Jewish organizations after the union asked political candidates to disclose if they've ever accepted money from or been endorsed by two prominent Jewish groups, defending the move as an effort to protect academic freedom. The allegations come after the California State University faculty union sent an endorsement questionnaire to state candidates which asked about their relationship to the Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California - a nonpartisan coalition of Jewish groups across the state -"

""We apologize for not being more careful with the formulation of that question and the confusion and hurt feelings that this article has caused," the union said in a statement Wednesday. "We are taking this opportunity to be clear and on the record that CFA did not say, nor do we believe that, Jewish groups or individuals are harmful to working people. CFA also did not say and does not believe that accepting contributions from Jewish donors simply because of their identity is harmful.""

The California Faculty Association sent an endorsement questionnaire asking state political candidates to disclose whether they accepted contributions from or were endorsed by the Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. The questionnaire framed partnering with the labor movement as rejecting contributions from groups that harm working people and listed examples including JPAC and AIPAC. The union acknowledged the question was poorly framed and said it created an impression of specifically targeting Jewish groups. The union called characterizations that it would withhold support from candidates who accept such money misinformation, apologized for the formulation, and clarified it does not consider Jewish groups or donors harmful while citing protection of academic freedom.

Read at The Mercury News