Protesters, Jewish leaders both express frustration with UWM Chancellor's handling of protests negotiation
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- There was more fallout Thursday, May 23, after UWM Chancellor Mark Mone's apology letter to the Jewish community was posted earlier this week.
Mone's message apologized for some of the language that was used in the terms of the agreement that was struck with pro-Palestinian protesters two weeks ago.
Mone's apology upset protesters who say he's backing down from what he said in the agreement.
Meanwhile leaders of Jewish organizations say the apology is an improvement.
Both expressed a lot of frustration over how this situation has progressed.
Dr. Rachel Ida Buff, a member of Jewish Voices for Peace and the Chair of UWM's History Department, said, "I think the walking back was not a great look. I don't think either side feels particularly satisfied now."
Pro-Palestinian protesters on campus aren't satisfied, and Jewish leaders in the community say there is still a lot left to be desired.
Miryam Rosenzweig, the president & CEO of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, told us Thursday, "We also were critical of the fact that he didn't address the parts where he quoted propaganda."
Protesters had hailed the original agreement to end their encampment as a major victory, pointing to language that condemned ongoing violence in Gaza.
But now Mone's apology two weeks later has them frustrated.
Audari Tamayo, with Students for a Democratic Society – Milwaukee, said, "That apology that came out a couple days earlier, it means nothing to us."
On Thursday, several representatives from the protesting organizations gathered to chastise Mone.
Terra Johnson, a pro-Palestinian Jewish student, called it a "cowardly statement," and a "vile statement," adding, "this redirection by Chancellor Mone is a cowardly backtrack."
Protesters said it's another reason why they're considering all options as they continue efforts to call attention to their cause.
Tamayo said, "We never agreed to not set up another encampment, we never agreed to not take direct action again. All these things are on the table."
The Milwaukee Jewish Federation called the apology an improvement but said Mone still fell short in addressing what the federation calls a false narrative.
Rosenzweig said most people in the Jewish community would say they're pro-Palestinian and believe in a two-state solution.
But she added, "That's not what was happening on campus. "It wasn't about 'How do we find a path for peace for everybody?' It was a one-state solution that didn't include Jews."
But anti-Zionist Jewish protesters say the stance of the Jewish institutions is alienating.
Johnson said, "It's a personal attack to you and your religion and your culture."
Rosenzweig believes summer will temper some of the rhetoric and welcomes more structured conversations.
"I invite the leadership to come and have a conversation. We'll host you here at the Federation. Let's talk about what we can agree on. Let's talk about what we can do together. And we don't have to agree on everything. But if it's all or nothing, we're not going to get anywhere."
On Thursday, for the 10th time since the protests began last month, we requested an interview with Mone. But we were again denied and told he won't be doing interviews.
We also reached out to the president and vice president of the Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents to gauge their assessment of how Mone has handled this situation. Neither has responded.