The Latest: University panel adopts anti-Semitism statement

SAN FRANCISCO – The Latest on a move by the University of California to cite anti-Semitism as a form of intolerance (all times local):

10:30 a.m.

A committee of the University of California's governing board has unanimously approved a statement citing anti-Semitism as a form of intolerance that campus leaders should challenge.

The Board of Regents panel voted Wednesday to send the position statement on to the full board for a final vote. It did so after softening a reference in an accompanying report that listed "anti-Zionism" — the rejection of Israel's right to exist — as another kind of discrimination that didn't belong at the university.

The system-wide principles were drafted in response to pro-Israel groups that demanded that more be done to protect Jewish students.

The declaration would make the University of California the first public university system to reaffirm its opposition to anti-Semitic behavior amid heightened college activism on behalf of Palestinian rights.

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12:15 a.m.

The University of California is debating whether to affirmatively oppose anti-Semitic behavior amid a wave of impassioned campus activism that has sparked tensions between Palestinian rights supporters and strong allies of Israel.

For the second time in five months, a committee of the university's governing board is scheduled to vote Wednesday on what's being called a "Statement of Principles Against Intolerance."

The proposed declaration describes the university's role as an institution dedicated to the free exchange of ideas, but twice cites anti-Semitism as a form of bias campus leaders have a duty to challenge.

Pro-Palestinian groups say they also are troubled by language in a report accompanying the proposed statement that lists anti-Zionism — the rejection of Israel's right to exist — as another form of discrimination that doesn't belong at the university.