Cornell University Investigating Threats Against Jewish Students
The Cornell University Police Department (CUPD) is actively investigating online posts on a website unaffiliated with Cornell University that contain threats of violence directed at Jewish students across the New York-based campus.
A Jewish student group at the university, Cornell Hillel, released a statement on October 29, calling attention to threats directed toward the building at 104 West, which houses the kosher and multicultural dining hall. Threats were also made against Jewish students, faculty, and staff.
“The Cornell University administration has been made aware of this concerning language, and the Cornell Police Department is monitoring the situation and is on-site at 104 West to provide additional security as a precaution,” the student group said.
“At this time, we advise that students and staff avoid the building out of an abundance of caution. We will continue to provide updates as additional information becomes available.”
In a statement released on October 29, Cornell University president Martha Pollack described the series of antisemitic messages threatening violence against the university’s Jewish community as “horrendous.”
“Threats of violence are absolutely intolerable, and we will work to ensure that the person or people who posted them are punished to the full extent of the law,” Ms. Pollack said.
“Our immediate focus is on keeping the community safe; we will continue to prioritize that,” she added.
According to Ms. Pollack, CUPD will remain on-site to ensure students and community members are safe. The FBI has also been notified of a potential hate crime.
The CUPD has stated that the evidence they have found so far suggests the “targeted locations were intentionally selected because of the perpetrator’s bias.”
The police have also called for the community to come forward with any information that might help them with their inquiries.
Jewish Students Feel Terrified, Abandoned
Cornell student leader Annie Vail took to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, to share screenshots of some of the messages on a Cornell discussion forum calling for extreme violence against Jewish people. She also revealed that Jewish students are scared to leave their rooms in the wake of the threats.
Another Cornell student, Zoe Bernstein, and the president of the student group “Cornellians For Israel” told the Jerusalem Post that the climate on campus had been increasingly tense since everyone returned on Oct. 10 after the Fall break.
Terrorist organization Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing over 1,400 people in Israel and taking several hundred hostages back to the Gaza Strip.
Israel responded with a declaration of war and has been launching military retaliation strikes against Hamas targets in the Gaza strip since. According to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza, over 8,000 have been killed—a figure which Israel says includes many individuals belonging to Hamas.
Ms. Bernstein says it’s “terrifying to be a Jewish college student right now” and that the shared sentiment among students across campuses right now is they have been abandoned.
“We feel as though, if any other minority group was experiencing half of what we have since October 7th, their cries for help and support would have been heeded and addressed more promptly, and with greater force and decisiveness than what we have experienced,” he said.
According to Ms. Bernstein, sidewalks on campus were vandalized with antisemitic, accusatory graffiti on Oct. 25. The university’s newspaper, The Cornell Review, covered the story.
Pushing back against the anti-Israel rhetoric, the Israeli government screened an Oct. 23 graphic and unedited video of the atrocities committed by Hamas terrorists during their Oct. 7 attack. The footage was collated from various sources, including body cameras worn by Hamas terrorists, vehicle dashboard cameras, social media accounts, and cellphone videos.
So far, the footage of the massacre has only been seen in its entirety by journalists and other key personnel in Israel. The attendees of the Israeli government’s press conference were not allowed to record the video compilation out of respect for the dead.
Universities Already in Hot Water
Universities across the United States have found themselves in hot water over comments made by staff and students regarding the war. Several Harvard student organizations in the United States had backtracked on support for an Oct. 8 open letter justifying the actions of Hamas in its war against Israel after intense backlash.
Authored and publicly released by the Harvard Undergraduate Palestine Solidarity Committee (PSC) through its Instagram page, the letter was co-signed by more than 30 other student organizations and stated they held “the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence.”
People demonstrate calling for a cease-fire amid war between Israel and Hamas, at Grand Central Station in New York City on Oct. 27, 2023. (KENA BETANCUR/AFP via Getty Images)
Russell Rickford, an associate professor of history at Cornell University, went viral on Oct. 15 for a rant that saw him say he was initially “exhilarated” by Hamas’s attack on Israel.
His remarks were met with strong opposition from Ms. Pollack and Board of Trustees Chair Kraig Kayser who released a joint statement saying Mr. Rickford’s views do “not reflect Cornell’s values.”
“This is a reprehensible comment that demonstrates no regard whatsoever for humanity,” the statement read. “The University is taking this incident seriously and is currently reviewing it consistent with our procedures.”
His entire speech was reported in the Cornell Review, as was his apology following the backlash.
Stanford University president Richard Saller also had to release an Oct. 11 statement after a ”Non faculty instructor” reportedly downplayed the Holocaust and singled out students “based on their backgrounds and identities.” In response, the instructor in question was removed from teaching duties pending an investigation.
According to Mr. Saller, the university had also been receiving complaints about banners, signs, and chalking on campus that express views that many found offensive.
“Thus, many of the banners and signs have been removed, because they were in places where they are not allowed,” Mr. Saller said.
“Moreover, it is worth remembering that while a climate of free expression requires breathing room, our aspiration as a community is for respectful and substantive discourse.”
How can universities create a campus environment that is inclusive, tolerant, and free from hatred and bigotry?
Nts Demand Action and Support
In the wake of the threats against Jewish students at Cornell University, the Jewish student group, Cornell Hillel, is demanding action and support from the university administration. They are calling for enhanced security measures, increased awareness and education about antisemitism, and a firm response to those responsible for the threats.
“We cannot ignore or downplay the seriousness of this situation. Jewish students should not have to live in fear on their own campus,” said a representative from Cornell Hillel. “We need the university to stand with us and take immediate steps to ensure the safety and well-being of the Jewish community at Cornell.”
The Jewish community at Cornell is not alone in their demand for action. Various student organizations, faculty members, and community leaders have voiced their support and solidarity with the Jewish students. They are stressing the importance of creating a campus environment that is inclusive, tolerant, and free from hatred and bigotry.
Antisemitism has been on the rise in recent years, both on college campuses and in society as a whole. According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), there has been a significant increase in antisemitic incidents in the United States, including harassment, vandalism, and physical assaults.
It is crucial that universities take these threats seriously and implement measures to protect their Jewish students, as well as educate the entire campus community about the dangers of hate speech and discrimination. By doing so, universities can foster an environment of respect, understanding, and acceptance for all students.
The Importance of Combating Antisemitism
Antisemitism is a deeply rooted prejudice that has plagued societies for centuries. It persists today in various forms, including stereotypes, conspiracy theories, and acts of violence. Its consequences are far-reaching, affecting not only individuals and communities but also the fabric of society as a whole.
Universities play a crucial role in combating antisemitism by promoting awareness, education, and dialogue. They must create spaces where Jewish students feel safe, valued, and empowered to express their identity. Additionally, universities can collaborate with organizations and experts in fighting antisemitism to develop comprehensive strategies and policies.
It is also essential for universities to foster interfaith and intercultural dialogue to promote understanding and bridge divides. By encouraging open and respectful discussions about different religious and cultural backgrounds, universities can help dispel stereotypes and prejudice.
As Cornell University investigates the threats against its Jewish students, it is imperative that the university administration takes swift and decisive action. By sending a strong message that hate and discrimination have no place on campus, Cornell can reaffirm its commitment to creating an inclusive and safe environment for all its students.
Furthermore, it is essential for the broader community to stand in solidarity with
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