Pro-Palestinian College Protests Spark Concerns Over Campus Antisemitism

A recent wave of pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses across the United States has ignited concerns about rising antisemitism and the safety of Jewish students. The protests, which have taken over campuses, are not just about Israel's actions in Gaza but about the very existence of the Jewish state itself.

Why this matters: The growing trend of antisemitism on college campuses has far-reaching implications for the safety and well-being of Jewish students, as well as the broader social and political climate in the US. If left unchecked, it could contribute to a rise in hate crimes and discrimination against Jewish communities.

Protesters have been chanting slogans calling for the creation of Palestine "from the river to the sea," an explicit demand for the end of Israel. At Columbia University, student activist Khymani James stated in a livestream that "Zionists don't deserve to live." The university later took action and expelled James.

The protests have garnered support from high-profile politicians. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez praised the encampment at Columbia University, saying, "The leadership you have is just so fantastic." Rep. Ilhan Omar joined the protests and called some Jewish students "pro-genocide," drawing a rebuke from the Anti-Defamation League.

The protests have created an environment where antisemitic language and actions, as well as calls for violence, are prevalent. Joseph Massad, a tenured professor at Columbia University, authored an article praising Hamas' attack on Israeli civilians. Sami Al-Arian, a convicted financier of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, tweeted his support for his wife, who had set up camp at Columbia's encampment.

The impact on Jewish students has been severe. Many at Columbia University fled the campus due to the intolerable environment, with some receiving a message from their rabbi to leave. Columbia University President Minouche Shafik stated that the pro-Hamas camp and the environment on campus have become intolerable to Jewish students and others.

The protests and their fallout have also been discussed on The Quad podcast, featuring Ateret Violet Shmuel, a former Jewish anti-Israel activist, and Stephanie Strauss. They examined the impact of the protests on Jewish life in the US. Shmuel argues that the protests and encampments have revealed a large and growing fifth column of terrorist sympathizers in elite institutions across the country.

The recent pro-Palestinian college protests have exposed a disturbing rise in antisemitism on campuses, creating an unsafe environment for Jewish students. As the protests continue, the long-term impact on Jewish life in the US remains uncertain. However, the events have brought to light the urgent need to address and combat antisemitism in higher education institutions across the nation.

Key Takeaways

• Pro-Palestinian protests on US college campuses spark concerns about rising antisemitism and Jewish student safety.
• Protesters chant slogans calling for Israel's destruction, with some demanding "Palestine from the river to the sea."
• High-profile politicians, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rep. Ilhan Omar, support the protests.
• Jewish students face an intolerable environment, with some fleeing campuses due to antisemitic language and actions.
• The protests expose a growing trend of antisemitism on campuses, necessitating urgent action to combat it.