Rising anti-Semitism disguised as a Palestinian liberation movement threatens the safety and education of Jewish students and their allies on American campuses
For anyone who cares about the future of the free world, it is impossible to sit by and passively observe the systematic destruction by extremism of universities across America. It is impossible to allow a community, in this case Jews, to feel so threatened that they cannot attend class, walk on campus, or attend graduation ceremonies. Nor is it acceptable to demand that we endure hate speech under the disingenuous banner of free speech.
While expectations typically run high for new graduates during the summer, the singular cause of Palestine has hijacked graduation ceremonies and stolen the memories of graduation from every student of every ethnicity.
In a surprisingly short period of time, blatant anti-Semitism disguised as a Palestinian liberation movement has spread to American college campuses, with illegal encampments, hateful slogans, and daily attacks on classes and adjacent communities. There was chaos, genocidal chants, and ugly signs. We are watching footage of what are now daily campus brawls escalating into full-scale violent riots. Despite the seizure and destruction of private property at Columbia University in New York, I am appalled to see that our “land of the free” is not being welcomed by our brave people back home.
Overnight, a tent city appeared on the university grounds. They are typically similar to each other and appear to have been purchased in large quantities. Student protesters have declared the stolen campus area a “liberated zone,” denying entry to anyone who does not support a cause that is typically more anti-Israel than pro-Palestinian. The Israeli flag was torn and burned. The chant accuses Israel of genocide, declares “Zionists” are not welcome, and declares Israel a terrorist state. Remarkably, young people like the victims of the October 7th genocidal attack, hostages, or Nova Music Festival, came together to dance and sing in the name of peace. There is no mention of it at all.
On Columbia's campus alone, radicalized Israel-hating students have been hosting an Israel-basher hit parade for the past two weeks. These include Susan Sarandon, Norman Finkelstein, Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Cornel West, to name a few.
At the center of the epic mayhem on college campuses are well-organized and well-funded pro-Palestinian groups that have been in the game for more than a decade and took action immediately after October 7th. It is clear that preparations were well made to begin. Ironically, encampments proliferated across the country during Passover. With most university administrations paralyzed by indecision, the world is watching to see how the greatest nation on earth will respond to a crisis far from home.
As government leaders, university deans, and professors remain silent, respond with small gestures to counteract rhetoric, or claim false equivalencies, the core of American values is being trampled by the minute. It is. On the Columbia campus, many faculty members recently rallied to support students who were falsely arrested for violating campus rules and falsely pretending their actions were democratic. In a move that seems almost comical, some universities have entered into talks and negotiations with protesters, primarily demanding that the schools withdraw from business ties with Israel.
Several universities responded quickly to efforts to set up camps and crack down on hate speech and threats against Jewish students. Some refuse to join the boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement against Israel altogether.
But the assault on campuses and the creation of encampments did not arise in a vacuum. This money has been systematically and calculatedly funded over many years with the goal of disrupting, destroying, and unraveling America's core values. From multibillion-dollar left-wing charities to oil companies to agenda-driven NGOs, donations that have laid the foundation for the events that have been unfolding and shaking before our eyes every day for years. How can we turn a blind eye to the influx of Will it extend to entire college campuses, their core Jewish communities, and President Joe Biden's current crisis list?
As history teaches, Jews are the canaries in the coal mine. But today, it also applies to those who disagree with Hamas's claims. Many marchers to Palestine have no idea what they are marching for. Many do not understand the deep context of the stories from all sides of this long-running conflict. American activists are distinguished by their ignorant arrogance, righteous indignation, and hatred toward Jews or those they perceive as allies of the Jewish community or Israel.
The Palestinian minority consists of approximately 170,000 people in the United States alone, and 6.3 million Jews live in the United States. Among the questions raised about the large group of riot agitators taking part in the demonstrations are: Who are they and what are their objectives?
When Hamas, a terrorist organization, attacks Israeli civilians in the most heinous ways, such as on October 7th, these A march that does not condemn the attack cannot be justified on any campus.
When university leaders hide behind job security and are afraid to speak out, they allow misconduct to continue and evil to explode. By being silent bystanders, they create an environment of no return. They set the stage for students and families from which they can never recover.
When a bipartisan group of senators visited Israel in October 2023, when the war began, I asked them what they could do about pro-Hamas demonstrations and anti-Semitism on campus. “Share your photos, tell your stories, and tell them we don't know what you're talking about. Those who say, 'Liberate Palestine,' are doing the best they can for Palestinians,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham. The goal is to destroy Hamas and sideline Iran.”
At this point, stopping this madness requires bipartisan action by a majority in the U.S. Senate and Congress, powerful state and city officials, law enforcement, and, if necessary, the National Guard.
As the election campaign begins, Americans are faced with a rematch between President Biden and former President Donald Trump. Each candidate must be tested on how they handle this chapter of history. It will make or break the next election and leave a legacy of grandeur, guts or cowardice.
It doesn't take long for brave young men marching for terror to turn to terror. The streets of New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Detroit will no longer be safe. It's not just the campus that everyone pays attention to. It would create a path for the bomb of the Second Intifada.
Terrorists don't understand dialogue.
If a Palestinian state were to emerge under gunfire, it would remain a state filled with corruption and terrorism and would have no chance of success. Final decisions between Israelis and Palestinians need to be resolved by people living side by side, not under the cloud of war or by force on university campuses. This is a complex and layered process that requires a depth of knowledge that most demonstrators do not have. This is knowledge that should be responsibly taught on college campuses.
Business leaders, doctors, theater directors, publicists, and media gurus need to find their inner strength instead of hiding under a blanket of fear. Now is not the time to hide in the shadows and let others do the dirty work. Now is the time to stand up and stand strong for the truths and values of a decent world. This is a time when we need to provide children with a safe learning environment. America's brightest and bravest people have no choice. They must act now. Otherwise, tomorrow we will be asking ourselves how we can allow this to happen in our lifetimes.
