Five students cosponsored the resolution to congratulate the Jewish state on its 60th birthday, which Israel will celebrate today. The sponsors say the resolution, brought before the student senate, was intended as nothing more than simple birthday greetings. That it would cause controversy at the nation's only nonsectarian, Jewish-sponsored university caught them by surprise, they said.

The resolution sparked more than two hours of debate on the senate floor on March 9, leaving some students in tears, according to a senator who was there. Critics questioned whether it was appropriate to have student leadership delve into Middle Eastern politics on a campus that hosts students from 100 countries, some of which oppose Israel's policies.

Following the discussion, student senators voted, 13 to 6, with one abstention, to "postpone indefinitely" a vote on the resolution, effectively killing it.