Michael Oren was repeatedly interrupted, harassed in February speech by Muslim students.
The University of California at Irvine has suspended its Muslim Student Union for one year and placed it on disciplinary probation for an additional year after 12 of its members called Israel's ambassador to the United States a "killer" during a speech on Campus in February.
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Israel's U.S. ambassador Michael Oren.
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| Photo by: Bau Bau |
California police arrested the 12 members after Michael Oren's Irvine speech descended into chaos. The hecklers interrupted his lecture more than 10 times, shouting "killers" and "how many Palestinians did you kill?"
Oren took a 20-minute break after the fourth protest, only to be interrupted again by young men yelling at him every few minutes.
“We commend the University for its judicious decision in support of free speech and civil discourse,” said Shalom Elcott, President and CEO of Jewish Federation Orange County.
“The University’s disciplinary action regarding the MSU establishes an important and appropriate precedent and sends a powerful message to other universities across the nation," he added.
According to the university's decision, the MSU membership is also required to collectively complete 50 hours of community service, as a result of which it will not be allowed to conduct organized campus events until at least the fall of 2011.
