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Students Call Professor's E-mail Anti-Semitic

Christina Heller

Story Created: Apr 23, 2009 at 3:12 PM PDT

Story Updated: Apr 24, 2009 at 10:07 AM PDT

Goleta, CA-- A UCSB professor is the focus of an academic investigation, after sending a highly controversial e-mail to his students.

During the second week of class, Dr. William Robinson sent an e-mail called "Parallel Images of World War Two," comparing the acts of the Israeli Defense in Gaza, to Nazi war crimes.

Among the depicted photos were war-ravaged children behind barbed wire, and soldiers and Nazi troops lining up civilians.

Two female students were so offended, they dropped the course and contacted Rabbi Aron Hier, with the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles. Rabbi Hier and the students have demanded the university investigate Robinson.

Professor Robinson say he believes the complaint is a violation of academic freedom. A group of students have also set up a blog in support of Robinson.

Now, a warning: some of the images in this story are disturbing.

Does the comparison of Israel's Defense Forces on the Gaza Strip to the Nazi treatment of Jews offend you? Participate in our viewer poll located below, in the right column, under the YouNews section.
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