On Sept. 9, students involved with the campus group Students for Justice in Palestine attempted to disrupt promotion of the free 10-day Taglit Birthright Israel trip on Loyola University’s campus.

SJP is categorized by the Anti-Defamation League as one of 2013’s top ten anti-Israel groups in America and is responsible for the majority of anti-Israel activity that happens on campuses across the country. SJP uses guerilla tactics such as disruptions, mock eviction notices, die-ins and vitriol on social media not to promote solidarity with Palestinians, but to lob accusations like apartheid and ethnic cleansing against Israel and Israelis in order to delegitimize her. Most recently, chapters at Temple University, Rutgers University, Florida Atlantic University and Northeastern University were investigated for violations of campus rules but Loyola University has taken decisive disciplinary action against this SJP chapter.

One of the Jewish students staffing the Loyola Birthright table said, “the tone that many of these (SJP) students adopted was harsh, interrogative, overwhelming, and, quite frankly, verbally abusive.” A full investigation was launched by Loyola’s administration after Jewish students filed a complaint. Hillel was also investigated for an administrative oversight.

At the conclusion of the investigation, both campus groups were asked to attend a hearing to review the charges. SJP Loyola was investigated for violations including failure to adhere to Loyola’s free expression and demonstration policy and approval process, failure to submit a demonstration and fixed exhibit proposal, bias-motivated misconduct, harassment and bullying and disruptive and disorderly conduct. SJP Loyola was “found responsible” for not adhering to the free expression and demonstration policy and the consequences include probation for the rest of the academic year and intergroup dialogue training. SJP filed an appeal on Monday Nov. 3.

Hillel was cited for failure to obtain one of the proper permits for the table. In its investigation, Loyola acknowledged that many student groups fail to properly register events on campus. At the hearing, Hillel requested clarification on proper administrative procedure to be able to recruit for trips to Israel. For Hillel’s violation, its officers must help to provide training and information to other student organizations about the proper procedures for registering tables and events.

Loyola Hillel President Brian Stone said, “We believe that the university came to a fair decision that promotes open and respectful dialogue on campus. The administrators spent a lot of time listening to students and made a decision that benefits the university and community as a whole. Thank you to the students and Hillel staff who represented Hillel at the hearing.”

Loyola Hillel, part of Metro Chicago Hillel, plans to continue its agenda of positive and educational Israel programming and experiences including sending students on Birthright this Winter, attending the Chicago Festival of Israeli Cinema and hosting Alex Cicelsky of Kibbutz Lotan, who will enumerate Israel’s environmental science contributions to the world, amongst others.