How's this for a harassment advisor for students...

He should be free to say what he thinks....but that doesn't mean he should advise on harassment...

The University of York has defended a University Council member who has been accused of anti-semitism by national and local Jewish groups.

Andrew Collingwood, who also acts as a harassment advisor to students, posted a ‘fundamentally racist’ photo of a depiction of anti-semitic stereotypes on the networking site Facebook , has been defended by the University, who has stated that it “adheres strongly to the principle of freedom of speech”

The University is currently not taking any action against Collingwood, who is employed by the Equal Opportunities Office alongside his non-academic position in the Biology department.

The Union of Jewish students has called the University’s response ‘deporable’, while the Jewish Society on campus has labelled it ‘shocking‘ and ‘inexplicable’. A local Rabbi has stated that the position is ‘disgusting’.

The row was sparked after Collingwood, a prominent member of the York Palestinian Solidarity Campaign, posted a photograph on his Facebook page depicting “all ethnic stereotypes against Jews,” according to Simon Winkler, Jewish Society Chairman.

The photograph, taken during a protest in York against the war in Gaza shows what appears to be a Jewish Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni wearing a witches hat and holding a wand topped with the star of David. The witch is drawn to be saying ‘Anti-Semitic! Anti-Semitic! Anti-Semitic!’, while thinking ‘Oh, ****!! They No Longer Fear The Magic Word’.

Winkler described the depiction as “Fundamentally racist and definitely perpetrating race hate. It makes a huge statement about anti-semitism almost being a myth.”

“It’s unacceptable. I’m surprised the University employs someone like that. I don’t know how he can promote equality, when he himself does not believe in it. How can he preach at University about how to create equal opportunities yet his private life holds up placards depicting racist stereotypes?,” Winkler continued.

Winkler has called on the University to “re-evaluate his position”, claiming that “Jewish students couldn’t approach him if they were being harassed. How can you consult someone who doesn’t acknowledge that this is anti-semitic?”