Antisemitism is rising in our nation, The United States. There have been reports of injuries to Jewish people nationwide. Meanwhile, one man is in jail for threatening to bomb a Kosher diner on Cornell University’s campus. Pro-Hamas rallies have been held and at one of these rallies, “Burn the Jews,” was chanted by the crowd. Most of these incidents have involved college students. The question then becomes are colleges driving antisemitism in the US? Based on Nationwide reports and my first-hand experience as a Jewish graduate student, I believe the answer is yes. Colleges are purposely teaching misinformation and anti-Israel rhetoric. This comes at a time when Anti Semitism world wide is already quite high. Jews have already been warned to hide thier faith.
Colleges Are Driving Antisemitism In The US
The Cornell University student mentioned above who threatened to bomb the Kosher diner had also made threats to kill any Jewish student he saw on campus. This case is particularly worrisome. The student claimed to be a Hamas soldier in some of his posts, and there is a strong case that this student’s behavior was driven by antisemitic rhetoric at the university. A professor from this same university said he was exhilarated by the attacks on Israel by Hamas. Also, the student’s parents have refused to see him since he was taken into custody. Fox News said his parents wondered what that university had been teaching their son to make him behave this way. Therefore, it does not appear that this antisemitism was something he learned at home. Colleges are driving antisemitism in the US.
Cooper University allowed a Pro- Palestinian march and locked their Jewish students in the Library while the protest was occurring. While one might argue that this was done for their safety, should a university allow a protest they believe may threaten the safety of their students? Do not Jeiwsh students have the right to be safe on all parts of their campus at all times?
Maybe most unbelievable, George Washington University projected Pro-Pepestinian messages onto their campus buildings. Certianly, this would affect all students. Some may read the messages and agree causing them to become more antisemitic. Meanwhile, Jewish students at the University reported feeling unsafe on campus after these projections.
Harvard had a Pro-Palestinian rally this week. When a student attempted to film the rally, he was surrounded by protestors shouting, “Shame.”
Personal Experience as a Jewish Student
At my own University, California Institue of Integral Studies, the chair of our program sent out an email saying the staff supported both its Palestinian and Jewish students. However, in the same email, she called Israel an apartheid state. A simple search for the definition of apartheid state shows that Israel cannot be an apartheid state. That is something that occurred in South Africa and was discrimination against the majority. Gazans are not the majority. So clearly, the university sent out false information which could cause a rise in antisemitism. I pointed this out, but the chair has still not sent out a correction or apologized. Colleges are driving antisemitism in the US.
Also, a student responded to my post about peace and allyship by calling Netanyahu Hitler. I have reported to both my chair and the VP of diversity that I do not feel safe in this program. My fellow Jewish students have expressed the same sentiment to me.
What Is Being Done?
Although I am disappointed with the response for help on my own campus, I am hopeful that relief may come at the national level. Fox reported that senate republicans have demanded to know what the education secretary is doing to protect Jewish students. Idaho Republican Sens. Jim Risch and Mike Crapo wrote, “Many Jewish and pro-Israel students have felt unsafe in their institutions of higher education, especially following Hamas’ attack on Israel.” Meanwhile, the FBI is investigating antisemitism on US campuses. Also, 24 top law offices wrote to the deans of colleges from which they typically hire stating, “Such activities would not be tolerated at any of our firms.” Why then would the universities risk continuing this anti-Israel rhetoric knowing the FBI is investigating and employers will be less likely to hire their alumni?
To Find out WHY Colleges are Driving Antisemitism in the US, Follow The Money!
Like most acts of terror in the US, it seems that the cause can be found by following the money trail. Jewish Virtual Library reported the colleges that receive the most Arab funding. Leading the list we find Cornell University. This is the school from which both the attempted bomber and the professor who said he was exhilarated by Hamas attacks came. Also in the top 15 are other schools mentioned in this article: Harvard, and George Washington University. Our youth are being brainwashed into antisemitism, racism, and hate, so that colleges can continue to get funding from countries such as Saudia Arabia.
Conclusion
Jewish students are not safe on US campuses at the present time. Further, that lack of safety on campuses and off is being caused by money-hungry universities. America’s greed is costing Jewish lives and education. This must come to an end before a mass shooting or bombing occurs. Stand up for our Jewish students. Write to your alma mater and ask for the protection of the Jewish students. Write your senators. Take action!! Do not let the money trail lead to blood!!
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