At a recent House hearing focused on rising antisemitism in higher education, lawmakers questioned UC Berkeley Chancellor Rich Lyons about the case of Karin Yaniv, an Israeli Jewish scientist who is suing her labor union, the United Auto Workers (UAW), for discrimination. Yaniv claims that the union has fostered an environment of fear for Jewish students and scholars.
Chancellor Lyons expressed his personal opposition to the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which the UAW supports. However, Yaniv believes that mere words are not enough. She argues that the union’s actions contribute significantly to the hostile atmosphere for Jews on campus.
Since the attacks on October 7, Yaniv says the situation for Jewish students has worsened. She points to a statement from union officials that condemned Israel and encouraged participation in anti-Israel protests. This statement, she says, only heightened the tension. The union even set up a “union village” at one protest site, aligning itself with groups that celebrated the attacks.
Yaniv joined the UAW in hopes of fostering dialogue, but instead, she felt marginalized. She was excluded from working groups and union communications, and when she attempted to speak at meetings, she faced hostility. Additionally, she discovered a union document that listed Jewish members of the UC Board of Regents, which raised concerns about targeted discrimination.
At UC Berkeley, UAW officials are reportedly pushing to eliminate programs with any ties to Israel, putting academic partnerships at risk. Yaniv feels that this agenda undermines Jewish ties to Israel and threatens the academic careers of those involved. When she raised her concerns, union leadership dismissed them, leading her to believe that Jews were not welcome.
In January, Yaniv filed a federal lawsuit with the Fairness Center, claiming that the UAW discriminated against her based on her race, religion, and nationality. The union has since sought a protective order to prevent her from disclosing the identities of those involved in her case.
With increasing antisemitism on college campuses, Yaniv feels compelled to speak out. She emphasizes the importance of holding the union accountable, not just for herself but for her fellow Jewish and Israeli colleagues. Despite feeling unsafe in her environment, she remains determined to advocate for change.
Yaniv’s situation highlights a growing concern about antisemitism in American higher education. As she continues her fight, she hopes to shed light on these issues and ensure that all scholars can pursue their work free from discrimination.
