Policy expert urges universities to support Jewish communities following Hamas attacks.
AHS Executive Director Criticizes Universities’ Response to Hamas Attacks on Israel
Gabriel Scheinmann, the executive director of the Alexander Hamilton Society (AHS), is deeply disappointed with how many colleges and universities in the United States have handled on-campus discussions following the recent Hamas terrorist attack on Israel.
Dozens of student groups on college campuses have shown their support for Palestine in the aftermath of the brutal killings and kidnappings carried out by Hamas gunmen after breaching the Gaza-Israel barrier. Some of these activists have even blamed Israel for all the violence between the two sides. Additionally, pro-Palestinian student groups have been accused of glorifying the Oct. 7 attack and including references to it in their promotional materials, celebrating it as a “historic win.”
In an interview with NTD News’ “Capitol Report,” Mr. Scheinmann expressed his concern about the rise of antisemitism on campuses. He highlighted instances where student groups with antisemitic views have marched by Jewish centers, demonstrating the explicit antisemitism ingrained in their statements and actions.
According to Mr. Scheinmann, many universities have failed to condemn the Hamas attacks unequivocally. He believes that universities should not only support their Jewish communities but also uphold the principles of human decency on campus.
Mr. Scheinmann argues that some universities not only turn a blind eye to antisemitism but also allow intimidation against “pro-Israel” voices. While explicit threats against certain student groups may be rare, more subtle tactics are employed, such as suggesting changes to event focus or speaker selection, or withholding necessary security arrangements.
“Calling for violence is not free speech, it is not protected speech. And that is a lot of what is happening here. The dehumanization of Israeli civilians, the justification and glorification of terrorism is what is happening,” Mr. Scheinmann emphasized.
Mr. Scheinmann believes that universities should be able to differentiate between expressing policy views that Israel may not support and actively advocating for violence. He draws a parallel between the comments made by some campus activists against Israel and “Jewish people writ large” and the Ku Klux Klan’s calls for the elimination of African Americans, highlighting the double standard in how these issues are addressed.
How can universities actively combat antisemitism on campus and create a more inclusive environment for discussing complex geopolitical issues
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