A wave of pro-Palestinian protests sweeps across college campuses in the United States, Jewish students grapple with how to respond amid instances of perceived antisemitism and anti-Israel rhetoric. Like many Americans, Jewish students’ views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are wide-ranging and often nuanced. It wasn’t for a lack of concern about the war in Gaza or the backlash it has aroused on their campuses that some shied away from demonstrating.
Senior Brina Cartagenova at George Washington University clutched a necklace with her Hebrew name on it, the same necklace she’d previously taken off over fear of retaliation on campus. “I was scared to put this back on for, like, at least three weeks, and then I finally did the other day,” she said. “This type of event definitely helps me feel more comfortable.”
The specter of antisemitism looms large. Instances of hateful messaging, such as posters depicting the Star of David crossed out and “Death to Israel” scrawled in spray paint. Chants of “We are Hamas.” “Not everyone is actively endorsing these antisemitic posters and chants and signs and graffiti, but it feels like a large majority is at least OK with it — OK enough to to ignore it and to let Jewish students continue feeling unwelcome,” said Lily Cohen, 21, a Jewish student at Northwestern University.
Some, like junior Paz Baum, also of Northwestern, have aligned with pro-Palestinian protestors. Baum, whose own heritage includes ancestors who fled pogroms, sees parallels between their experiences and the plight of Palestinians.
Amidst the unrest, there is a growing sense of organization and strategy from Jewish student groups and supporting organizations like Hillel and the Israeli-American Council. These groups are planning more rallies, show Jewish and pro-Israel students and faculty “that they are not alone,”
Adam Lehman, president of Hillel International, said the rallies will affirm that Jewish students are resilient, deserve respect and can “show empathy to the plight of Palestinians while also simultaneously showing empathy for Israelis.”
At the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, pro-Israel Jewish students have for weeks tossed around different ideas. A few argued to ignore the pro-Palestinian encampment on campus, to show that “you can do that, but you’re not affecting us,” said Jewish student Eliana Halivni. A few waved Israeli flags.
Relevant articles:
– Jewish students grapple with how to respond to pro-Palestinian campus protests , The Associated Press, 05/04/2024
– Jewish students grapple with how to respond to pro-Palestinian campus protests, Spectrum News NY1, 05/03/2024
– House passes bill to expand definition of antisemitism amid growing campus protests over Gaza war, The Associated Press, 05/01/2024
– At UMass Boston, protester upbraids Mass. Gov. Healey for response to campus unrest, MassLive.com, 05/03/2024