To the Editor:

Re "Debating Free Speech At Berkeley," Editorial, Oct. 15

Academic freedom and the right to free speech are sacred and deserve protection. At the same time, when anti-Israel activity crosses the line into anti-Semitism and expressions of support for terrorism, it is imperative to urge university officials to issue condemnations.

There is a fundamental difference between criticizing Israel's government and its policies and "opposing" Israel's existence. The former may or may not be offensive speech. And while both sentiments may be protected, the latter crosses the line between anti-Israel and anti-Semitic speech and creates a hostile environment for many Jewish students, faculty and staff.