Pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups at U.C. Santa Barbara issued a joint letter condemning conservative activist David Horowitz for his criticism of the school’s Muslim student group.

The letter criticizing Horowitz, founder of the David Horowitz Freedom Center, was signed by the Santa Barbara Hillel and UCSB American Students for Israel along with the campus’ Muslim Student Association and its chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine.

It was published May 26 in the campus newspaper in advance of a scheduled address by Horowitz that evening titled “Infantile Disorders at UCSB: Why the Muslim Students Association Is Afraid of David Horowitz.” The campus’ College Republicans chapter sponsored the address.

“The UCSB MSA is an incredibly valuable member of our campus, has been involved in numerous interfaith dialogues and provides a cultural and religious home to a large segment of the UCSB Muslim community,” the four groups wrote in their letter to the Daily Nexus. They said Horowitz’s event promoted “bigotry and prejudice.” — jta