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Cornell University Unites Against Anti-Semitism Amidst Campus Strife
Edited by: Fern Sidman
Cornell University, nestled in the picturesque town of Ithaca, finds itself embroiled in a battle against rising anti-Semitism within its campus community. According to a report that appeared on Thursday in the New York Post, as tensions escalate, students and faculty alike are joining forces to combat bigotry and stand in solidarity with the Jewish community through a “Jewish Unity” rally scheduled for Sunday.
The rally, a beacon of hope amidst a troubling landscape, comes on the heels of disturbing events that have shaken the university to its core. As was reported by the Post, engineering student Patrick Dai’s recent guilty plea to threatening Jewish students with violence last October serves as a stark reminder of the virulent anti-Semitic sentiments that have infiltrated the campus environment.
Amanda Silberstein, a courageous student organizer, lamented the lack of support and solidarity following the harrowing attacks of October 7.
In a statement to The Post, Silberstein said, “After the horrific 10/7 attacks, I expected an outpouring of support and solidarity when I returned to campus. Instead, I encountered dehumanizing rhetoric, support for the terrorists, and students being accosted on campus and threatened with intimidation and violence solely because of our Jewish identity.”
She added: “We stand together to affirm that the Jewish community at Cornell will remain strong, steadfast, and resilient, and will not only survive but thrive, as the Jewish people have done so many times before us throughout history.”
The Anti-Defamation League’s recent report card on campus anti-Semitism paints a sobering picture, grading the Ivy League institution with a dismal “D” for its efforts in combatting Jewish bigotry, as per the information contained in the Post report. This assessment calls attention to the urgent need for systemic change and proactive measures to foster a more inclusive and tolerant campus environment.
However, amidst the gloom, voices of solidarity emerge. The upcoming rally signifies a collective stance against hate and discrimination, reaffirming Cornell’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity. It serves as a rallying cry for unity, urging students, faculty, and administrators to stand together in defense of fundamental human rights.
Yet, challenges persist. The troubling remarks made by one of Cornell’s professors, Russel Rickford, at a campus rally last year further highlight the complexities surrounding the issue. The Post report indicated that Rickford’s statement expressing exhilaration over the Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel highlights the nuanced nature of combating anti-Semitism within academic circles.
Speaking to the Post, Yossi Israel, a graduate student from Israel pursuing a master’s degree in business administration, described the distressing reality faced by Jewish students at the prestigious institution.
Israel recounts hearing disturbing remarks such as “Zionism is a disease” and other anti-Semitic comments even before the outbreak of war. However, it was the influx of lies and hateful rhetoric following the events of October 7 that truly rattled him, as was pointed out in the Post report. As pro-Palestinian students marched through the halls of the business school, calling for an “Intifada,” Israel felt a sense of urgency to confront the pervasive anti-Semitism infecting the campus community.
“We are having this rally to combat anti-Semitism and show faculty and other groups in Cornell that we will not tolerate this anymore. Jewish students and their safety will not be mocked,” Israel said, as was reported by the Post. He said the rally is registered and supported by Cornell’s administration.
Meanwhile, the rallying cry for solidarity has reverberated beyond the confines of the educational realm. Cornell Law Professor William Jacobson, founder of Equal Protect.org, a right-leaning civil rights group, has pledged his support for Jewish students facing adversity on campus, the Post reported. Jacobson’s decision to attend and speak at the rally illustrates the importance of faculty solidarity in standing up against hate and discrimination.
“I will be attending and speaking at the rally to show my support for Jewish students on campus, many of whom feel abandoned by the administration and faculty,” Jacobson said, according to the Post report. He added that, “Now more than ever, it is important to show students they are not alone, and that there are faculty who are willing to stand with them in this difficult time.”
In a related matter, the Post also reported that New York Schools Chancellor David Banks’s announcement of his upcoming testimony before the House of Representatives on May 8 has cast a spotlight on the pressing issue of anti-Semitism within the city’s public school system. Indicated in the Post report was that in a candid statement, Banks acknowledged the unfortunate incidents that have occurred, including a distressing incident at his alma mater, Hillcrest High School in Queens. Here, a Jewish teacher was targeted for attending a pro-Israel rally and was forced to seek refuge in a locked office out of fear for her safety.
Banks emphasized that such incidents are not isolated occurrences but rather indicative of broader challenges facing the education system, the Post report noted. With emotions running high amidst the Hamas-Israel war, addressing anti-Semitism has become an urgent priority for educators. Banks stressed the gravity of the situation, acknowledging that hate and violence must be confronted head-on. He labeled anti-Semitism as the nation’s foremost hate issue and reaffirmed the commitment of New York City’s schools to combat bigotry in all its forms.
