Groups fighting anti-Semitism mail a pamphlet to all high schools in the New York City metropolitan area asking them to discourage Jewish students from attending Cornell University because of perceived anti-Jewish hatred on campus. did.
“Think about Cornell University. Cornell University is not a safe place for Jewish students,” the Alumni Association for Campus Fairness argues in a pamphlet.
Cornell University, a leafy Ivy League university north of Ithaca, is one of several New York universities being investigated by the U.S. Department of Education over complaints of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia on campus.
Last October, a 21-year-old Cornell University student was arrested for allegedly making violent threats against a Jewish classmate in a series of online messages. The threat came days after graffiti including “Fk Israel” and “Zionism = Racism” were painted on campus sidewalks.
Meanwhile, Cornell University history professor Russell Rickford was caught on camera telling students at a rally that Hamas’ October 7 terrorist attack on Israel was “exhilarating” and “invigorating.” It was captured.
Jewish students denounced his comments as anti-Semitic incitement to violence.
The pamphlet also stated that some Cornell University student organizations also advocate Hamas terrorism.
“Cornell University refuses to enforce its student code of conduct and fosters a hostile atmosphere that puts Jewish students at risk,” the group’s pamphlet says.
Avi Gordon, executive director of Alums for Campus Fairness, said of the pamphlet, “As a national alumni network dedicated to countering anti-Semitism on campus, we are committed to supporting future Jewish students and their families. , we felt we had a duty to warn Cornell University about its failure to protect our community.”
The group called on Cornell University to either define and condemn anti-Semitism or adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s statement on anti-Semitism. Rhetorical and physical expressions of anti-Semitism are directed against Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, Jewish community organizations, and religious institutions. ”
It also recommended that Cornell University fire Professor Rickford and enforce a student code of conduct.
The U.S. Department of Education has launched investigations into more than a dozen other universities, including Columbia University, Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Stanford University, following complaints of anti-Semitism.
Meanwhile, Jewish students at the University of California, Berkeley, had to evacuate the auditorium last month after anti-Israel protesters pounded on a campus theater where an IDF soldier was scheduled to speak, eventually breaking through the glass doors. I was forced to.
The Post has reached out to Cornell University for comment.
