Study Reveals Stark Contrast in University Response to Hamas Attack Compared to Crimes Against African Americans and Asians
Harvard president Claudine Gay and others (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Only a mere 4 percent of American universities condemned Hamas’s terror attack on Israel as an act of anti-Semitism, and a mere 2 percent pledged to address the persistent hatred towards Jews on campus, according to a study published on Tuesday.
The study, conducted by the AMCHA Initiative, a nonprofit organization combating anti-Semitism, discovered a significant disparity in how universities responded to Hamas’s slaughter compared to crimes committed against African Americans and Asians.
“School leaders who appropriately address the trauma experienced by Black and Asian students, but fail to do the same for Jewish students—despite the legitimacy of their concerns and the rampant bigotry they face on campus—cannot be relied upon to ensure the safety of Jewish students,” the study concludes.
These findings, which expose the lukewarm response of college and university presidents and chancellors on nearly 100 campuses to Hamas’s crimes, coincide with a congressional hearing held on Tuesday that examined the alarming surge of anti-Semitism on campuses at three prestigious American colleges: Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. These campuses, like many others across the country, have witnessed pro-Hamas demonstrations targeting Jewish students and advocating violence against supporters of Israel.
The AMCHA study is certain to strengthen the argument that American college campuses have not adequately addressed the escalating wave of anti-Semitism, which has compelled Jewish students to conceal their identities and has prompted federal investigations into Jew-hatred on campus.
The study analyzed university responses to the Hamas terror attack and compared them with statements issued following the 2020 murder of George Floyd and the 2021 murder of six Asian women in Atlanta.
“While all statements regarding the respective incidents identified racism and anti-Asian hate as the driving force, with over 90 percent committing to combatting bigotry against Blacks and Asians/Asian Americans, only 4 percent of statements acknowledged the anti-Semitic motivation behind the Hamas attack (despite Hamas’s public expressions of genocidal intent), and a mere 2 percent pledged to address anti-Semitism,” according to AMCHA’s summary of the findings.
Furthermore, “while nearly 100 percent of statements unequivocally condemned the traumatic incidents affecting Blacks and Asians/Asian Americans,” the summary states, “only 65 percent of the post-October 7th statements condemned the attack, and 60 percent of those statements accused Israel of perpetrating violence that harmed Palestinians or violated their civil rights.”
Out of the statements analyzed, the study found that only 5 percent offered support resources for Jewish students, while these services were prominently mentioned in 90 to 100 percent of the statements issued after attacks on the Black and Asian communities.
These findings indicate a discrepancy in how crimes against Jews are treated compared to those committed against other minority groups. It suggests that anti-Israel sentiment among America’s academic elite is influencing university leaders to carefully gauge their response to the atrocities of October 7, which included the rape, torture, and dismemberment of women and children, as stated by AMCHA Initiative director Tammi Rossman-Benjamin.
“School officials displayed a clear and discriminatory double standard in their response to October 7, in contrast to their reactions following similarly traumatizing events,” Rossman-Benjamin stated.
“For Jewish students,” she added, “this devastating event triggered a dual crisis: coping with the immediate shock and trauma of the deadliest attack on Jews in their lifetime, and confronting fears of a surge in anti-Semitism on their own campuses—fears that have become a terrifying reality as anti-Semitic incidents on campus, already at an all-time high, have spiked by 700 percent since the Hamas attacks.”
How does the response to Hamas’s attack on Israel differ from the response to racism and hatred against other minority groups on college campuses?
Emitic nature of Hamas’s attack on Israel and a mere 2 percent pledged to address the persistent hatred towards Jews on campus,” the study reveals.
The disparity in the response to these incidents raises serious concerns about the commitment of universities to combat all forms of discrimination and bigotry. While they readily acknowledge and address racism and hatred against African Americans and Asians, they fail to extend the same attention and support to Jewish students.
The study highlights the need for universities to prioritize the safety and well-being of all students, irrespective of their background or identity. Failure to do so not only undermines the inclusivity and diversity that universities claim to uphold but also perpetuates a hostile environment for Jewish students.
The findings of the study coincide with a congressional hearing held on Tuesday, which focused on the surge of anti-Semitism on campuses. It is disheartening to see prestigious institutions like Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology being targeted by pro-Hamas demonstrations that promote violence against supporters of Israel and create an atmosphere of fear and intimidation for Jewish students.
The AMCHA study serves as a stark reminder that American college campuses are falling short in addressing the escalating wave of anti-Semitism. Jewish students should not have to conceal their identities or live in fear on campus. It is imperative that universities take immediate and decisive action to ensure the safety and well-being of all students.
Moreover, the study draws attention to the need for federal investigations into instances of Jew-hatred on campus. The rise in anti-Semitic incidents calls for a comprehensive approach to combating discrimination and intolerance. Universities must work in tandem with law enforcement agencies and community organizations to create an environment that fosters understanding, respect, and inclusivity.
In conclusion, the study reveals a disturbing contrast in the response of universities to Hamas’s attack on Israel compared to crimes against African Americans and Asians. The failure to address the anti-Semitic nature of the attack and the persistent hatred towards Jews on campus undermines the principles of inclusivity and diversity that universities claim to uphold. It is crucial for universities to prioritize the safety and well-being of all students and actively combat all forms of discrimination and bigotry. Only through collective efforts can we create campuses that are truly inclusive, respectful, and safe for everyone.
Now loading...