Congressman urges U.C. Berkeley to rescind award, due to honorees bias against Israel Facebook Twitter Email SMS WhatsApp Share By JTA | January 13, 2012 Rep. Brad Sherman (D-San Fernando Valley) has urged U.C. Berkeley to rescind the “2012 Public Health Hero” award bestowed on Mary Robinson, citing her virulent anti-Israel bias. Robinson, the former president of Ireland and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, presided over “an unprecedented international campaign delegitimizing Israel,” Sherman wrote earlier this month in a letter to UC Berkeley Chancellor Robert J. Birgeneau. Sherman also said that Robinson blamed Israel for Palestinian violence during the second intifada, issued skewed reports on the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and betrayed responsibilities expected of her as a High Commissioner. “As a Representative from California, I believe that the University of California, Berkeley, a public institution with a global reputation of excellence and quality, should be upholding that reputation by honoring someone untainted by such a record of bias and animus against Israel. I urge you to reconsider the decision to give Mary Robinson your ‘Public Health Hero’ award,” Sherman concluded. JTA Content distributed by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency news service. Also On J. Tech Alef's post-Soviet CEO imagines a future with flying cars Sports All the Jewish MLB players to watch in 2023 Letters Free speech at S.F. State; ‘Love for all Jews’ has a limit; etc. Books Agatha Christie novels edited to remove offensive references to Jews Subscribe to our Newsletter Enter Email Sign Up