Rutgers University Faces Controversy Over Retaliation Against Jewish Law Student

Rutgers University Faces Controversy Over Retaliation Against Jewish Law Student

Edited by: Fern Sidman

Rutgers University is embroiled in controversy as a first-year Orthodox Jewish law student, Yoel Ackerman, 36, faces potential expulsion over accusations of “doxxing” fellow students who shared or endorsed a video denying the heinous atrocities committed by Hamas terrorists during an attack on southern Israel that occurred on October 7th. As was reported by the New York Post, the lawsuit, filed on Tuesday, claims that Ackerman is being unfairly targeted for exposing what he believed was Hamas propaganda and standing against harassment and discriminatory conduct aimed at Jewish law students.

I am rooting for Yoel Ackerman here.

Rutgers not only failed to look into his complaints of antisemitism, they tried to subject him to discipline for doing so and dropped complaints against the students who circulated the circulated the antisemitic materials.

No more! We will…

— Gary S. Lesser (@GarySLesserEsq) January 4, 2024

The incident unfolded after Ackerman shared messages, including names and photographs, with the Jewish Law School Association (JLSA) in response to a video that allegedly downplayed the severity of the attacks on Israelis, according to the report in the Post. The video circulated in a Student Bar Association group chat, leading Ackerman to express objections before forwarding it to the JLSA.

The lawsuit details that Ackerman faces disciplinary action, including charges of alleged defamation and disorderly conduct, for his actions. As was indicated in the Post report, law school administrators reportedly received an email from an unnamed source containing the shared messages, triggering the charges against Ackerman. Additionally, he is confronted with potential impeachment by the Student Bar Association.

A Rutgers-Newark law student, claiming a pattern of antisemitism, has sued the university. “I will not be silenced in the face of hatred towards Jews,” said Yoel Ackerman. https://t.co/SCvwYjLc7L pic.twitter.com/Y8Tz0VWG8p

— Matt Kadosh (@MattKadosh) January 3, 2024

The two students who were the subject of Ackerman’s sharing accused him of “doxxing” — exposing personal information — and defaming them by labeling them as “Hamas supporters” due to their endorsement of the video questioning the events of Oct. 7, the report in the Post said.  Ackerman contends that his intent was to protect fellow Jewish students and the community from what he perceived as harassment and discriminatory conduct.

Before sharing the video with the JLSA, Ackerman had voiced his objections to it in the group chat. According to the lawsuit, he faced dismissive responses, with one student questioning why he was “triggered” by a post that sought to clarify propaganda, as per the Post report. The incident occurred in the aftermath of a terror attack on Israel, further intensifying the emotional climate surrounding the discussion.

“This lawsuit arises fm attempts by Rutgers staff & students to punish Yoel Ackerman after he complained of circulation of antisemitic propaganda” New Jersey law firm Mazie Slater Katz & Freeman.“Shockingly Rutgers Law School brought charges for response to this hateful rhetoric” pic.twitter.com/cSrlmm0F1Q

— Rita Rosenfeld (@rheytah) January 4, 2024

According to information provided in the Post report, David Mazie, Ackerman’s lawyer, criticized Rutgers University for prosecuting his client, stating, “In what world is a student prosecuted by his school — and possibly facing suspension or expulsion — after being bullied by a fellow student? Unfortunately, that is the reality at Rutgers for Jews, and it has been that reality for years.”

The university, in response to the lawsuit, stated that it does not typically address pending litigation or respond to specific allegations but emphasized its commitment to taking claims of bias seriously, as was reported by the Post. Rutgers asserted that it investigates and reviews claims of anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and all forms of bias and intolerance, taking appropriate remedial or disciplinary actions when necessary.

The lawsuit also highlights other instances of overt anti-Semitism on campus involving professors both before and after the October 7th Hamas attack on Israel in which the terror group brutally slaughtered 1200 Israelis and others while taking 240 people as hostages. The Post reported that one law professor, Sahar Aziz, was accused of posting a social media message that seemingly justified the Hamas attack two days after the incident. Aziz defended her right to free speech and emphasized the importance of diverse opinions in the educational environment.

Another professor mentioned in the lawsuit, Michael Chikindas from the food science department, faced accusations of posting anti-Semitic content on social media, including cartoon images depicting Jewish people, dating back to at least 2017, the report in the Post said. Chikindas claimed to have been hacked at the time and denied being anti-Semitic. While the university disciplined him, Chikindas continues to hold a position at Rutgers.

The legal proceedings bring attention to broader issues of tolerance, diversity, and the challenges faced by universities in maintaining an inclusive environment while respecting freedom of expression. Ackerman’s case raises questions about retaliatory measures taken against Jewish students who speak out against virulent anti-Semitism and those who boldly confront the egregious propaganda that is regularly spewed forth by Hamas.

As the lawsuit unfolds, it prompts a closer examination of how institutions like Rutgers navigate the complex terrain of differing opinions, cultural sensitivities, and the responsibilities they bear in fostering an environment that promotes learning and understanding.