I't's unfortunate that the Hillel hosted UC Irvine Chancellor Michael Drake to speak on tolerance and civility all while standing idly by when violent hate speech and anti-semitism runs rampant on his campus. Jewish and pro-Israel students had every moral right to protest this honor bestowed on Drake as he has posessed zero moral courage to condemn the actions of the Muslim Student Union.

Hillel's President Wayne Firestone defended his decision despite drawing appropriate ire from students:

Hillel's president, Wayne Firestone, defended the Drake invitation, arguing that "a more constructive approach" would be to engage the UC Irvine chancellor.

"Hillel has found that the best way to advance the causes of Israel and the Jewish people is having relationships with all the university presidents and administrations so we can talk to them on issues of concerns to us," Firestone told JTA.

"Chancellor Drake is a member of an administration where there are significant issues that we have. We have to talk to someone on that campus about those issues. We have to build relations and build understandings of what our concerns are."

.Unfortunately, the students' request fell upon deaf ears. Drake did participate Monday, and invoked this insignificant and assanine comment:

"How do we defend and protect free speech - a cornerstone of our democracy?"

It's obvious the spineless Drake has no interest in fostering an education environment free of intimidation and academic dishonesty. Any one is free to say what they desire, but with his position comes the responsibility to avert the direction of his institution from the uncivilized.

Please send Hillel your comments on this matter.