Today, young Jewish Americans at some of the most elite schools in our country are contending with unprecedented hatred and regular calls for their death, as well as the destruction of Israel.
Columbia University in New York City has been ground zero for the "hate fest" in recent weeks. A good university should welcome open and civil debate on contentious issues. That isn't what's happening at Columbia and most other elite U.S. universities. Instead, anti-Semites, Hamas supporters and America haters are using rhetoric and tactics intended not to win an argument, but rather to frighten, intimidate and physically harm Jewish students.
Where is President Biden in all of this? He regularly calls conservative Christians who are pro-life "haters." But the only statement from the White House in the face of real hatred was issued in the name of the deputy press secretary.
At Columbia, with a student body of 35,000, 4,700 are Jews. They are living in fear with many of them intimidated to go to campus buildings and classes. Off-campus students have sent a letter to Columbia's administration asking for permission to attend classes by Zoom. It brings back memories of the COVID years, except this virus of hate won't fade away—it will grow stronger if it isn't confronted.
Rabbi Elie Buechler, an Orthodox rabbi at Columbia University and Barnard College, on the eve of Passover, urged Jewish students to leave campus "as soon as possible" and "remain home until the reality in and around campus dramatically improves."He believes that Jews at Columbia are not safe.
The rabbi's advice is understandable. Jewish students have heard chants across their campuses of "We say justice, you say how? Burn Tel Aviv to the ground!," and, "Hamas we love you. We support your rockets, too." They don't care that Hamas is a designated terror group.
JDFI condemns anti-Semitism and calls for further action to safeguard all students. Chants supporting genocide should result in expulsion. Professors praising terror groups should lose their teaching posts. Jewish students who fear for their safety should have their tuition refunded. A university unable to maintain safety and civil debate should lose federal taxpayer support.
Join us in praying for the peace of Jerusalem and peace on American university campuses.
