Prof. Ron Hesner, a social science lecturer at the University of Berkeley, started a protest strike after a violent incident in which pro-Palestinian students physically attacked Jews and interrupted a lecture explaining Israel.
At the end of February, during a lecture by the VP of the Ecclesiastical Forum Ran Bar-Yoshpet, violent riots broke out on campus. Pro-Palestinian students tried to break into the hall, broke the glass door and strangled a Jewish student. Another student injured her hand.
What was the university’s response?
The university did not arrest any of the rioters and claimed that there were not enough police to control the crowd.
Prof. Hasner’s response:
“Dear students, I have hatched a strange plan,” he wrote. “I am initiating a protest strike against anti-Semitism in my office for the safety of the students. If my students feel that they cannot cross the campus safely without suffering bullying, then I will not cross the campus either.”
Prof. Hasner now lives in his office, where he sleeps, eats and teaches on Zoom. He calls on the campus administration to open the Sather gate, where members of the “Justice for Palestine” group blocked the passage, and to require training on Islamophobia and anti-Semitism for the student organizations.
Protest support:
Students, parents, graduates and community leaders from around the university area flock to Prof. Hasner’s office and bring him food. Actor Michael Rapaport also came to show support.
the meaning:
Prof. Hasner’s office has become a popular meeting place for students, a place where they feel safe.
The protest highlights the growing anti-Semitism on US campuses and the need for intervention by university administrations.
His achievements so far:
The university apologized to Ran Bar-Josheft and invited him back to lecture.
The continuation of the struggle:
Prof. Hasner will continue the protest strike until the campus administration meets all his demands.
