Jewish students across the US blame DEI, faculty for anti-Israel protests: 'Wasting my tuition dollars'

Jewish Students Nationwide Sound Alarm on Campus Antisemitism

Jewish students across the United States are expressing concerns about their safety and well-being on campuses, citing the proliferation of anti-Israel protests and the influence of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives that they believe promote antisemitic viewpoints.

Jewish Students Speak Out Against Campus Antisemitism

Jewish students from renowned universities such as the University of Southern California (USC), Cornell University, and George Washington University have voiced their concerns over the rise of antisemitism on their campuses. They allege that faculty and administrators have contributed to the hostile environment by allowing anti-Israel demonstrations to flourish and by promoting DEI initiatives that they deem antisemitic.

George Washington University

Sabrina Soffer, a junior student at George Washington University, expressed concern about the lack of balance in faculty opinions. She believes that the school's emphasis on diversity has become skewed, focusing only on a specific perspective. "Students are not learning how to think, but they're learning about what to think," she said. "There's no real academic rigor that surrounds learning how to think. So, they're just getting pushed to get a grade."

Soffer also pointed out the influence of social media, where students are constantly exposed to "propaganda" that reinforces the views they are taught in class, creating an "echo chamber." She believes that this behavior, coupled with the widespread acceptance of DEI, has made George Washington a "concerning" and "dangerous" environment.

Cornell University

Amanda Silberstein, a second-year student at Cornell University, echoed Soffer's concerns. She said she has faced ostracism and social isolation from classmates due to her pro-Israel stance. "I just encountered a lot of hostility when I do express my identity and my pride in it," she said.

Silberstein accused professors of participating in anti-Israel rallies and spreading antisemitic ideologies in the classroom. She cited an incident where a teaching assistant moved a discussion session to an anti-Israel encampment, giving students the option not to attend. She also mentioned the case of Professor Russell Rickford, who was placed on leave after describing Hamas' actions as "exhilarating."

University of Texas at Austin

Andrew Goldberg, a student at the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin), reported incidents of students being spat on and yelled at for wearing a yarmulke on campus. One of his friends was allegedly told to "Go back to Germany." He criticized the school's response to the protests, suggesting that the police presence may have prevented further escalation.

UT Austin has been the site of a large anti-Israel encampment. On April 29, police moved in to break up the encampment, discovering handouts celebrating the death of innocent Jews and the elimination of Israel. Weapons, chains, and buckets of rocks and bricks were also found.

University of Southern California

Brandon Tavakoli, a rising senior at USC, highlighted the distinction between free expression and calls for violence. He believes that the protests on campus crossed the line, intimidating and harassing Jewish students. He pointed to the incident where a valedictorian was barred from giving a speech due to social media posts allegedly calling for the abolition of Israel.

Tavakoli said the school's decision to cancel the speech led to a "deluge" of harassment against Jewish students. He accused the school of avoiding "morally ambiguous decisions" and failing to address its own failures.

Rutgers University

Joe Gindi, a student at Rutgers University, acknowledged that the protests at his school have been less intense than at other campuses. He commended Chancellor Francine Conway for acknowledging antisemitism as a problem but stressed the need for stronger leadership and enforcement of rules.

Gindi pointed out incidents where Jewish students were silenced in the classroom, creating an uncomfortable and unsafe environment. He expressed gratitude to lawmakers who have spoken out against antisemitism on campuses.

Conclusion

Jewish students across the United States are expressing their concerns about the rise of antisemitism on their campuses. They believe that the combination of anti-Israel protests, faculty bias, and the influence of DEI initiatives has created a hostile environment where they feel unsafe and marginalized. The schools involved have not yet responded to requests for comment on these allegations.