Staff Reports
After the horrifying Hamas terror attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, the United States saw an explosion of antisemitic protests and riots rocking elite universities across the country. You heard that right, folks — some of the most prestigious institutions in the land were turned into hotbeds of hatred against the Jewish people.
Pollak: The Roots of Campus Antisemitism https://t.co/un354jZRjp via @BreitbartNews
— Joel Pollak (@joelpollak) December 26, 2023
Instead of swiftly and unequivocally condemning the despicable murder of innocent Israeli civilians, university administrators were stumbling over their own words. When pressed to denounce the calls for the genocide of Jews, these so-called “leaders” refused to speak out, choosing to remain complicit in the face of vile antisemitism.
Let’s be clear about one thing: criticizing Israel is one thing, but calling for the annihilation of the Jewish state is downright antisemitic. Especially in the aftermath of the October 7 attack, when it became painfully apparent that the Jewish community was in grave danger without the protection of the State of Israel. Yet, some people seem to have trouble grasping this simple concept.
As if that wasn’t enough, Jewish religious institutions and businesses were targeted in some of these anti-Israel protests. In other cases, the antisemitic prejudice may have been implicit, but it was no less real.
First off, it’s important to note that the antisemitic fervor was not uniform across all American campuses. Some universities saw no anti-Israel protests at all, while a few even had pro-Israel demonstrations. However, the institutions hit hardest were those in the Northeast, the Midwest, and on the West Coast, particularly the elite universities.
So, what’s behind all this animosity towards Israel and the Jewish people? Well, it goes way back. Many of these elite universities have a long history of antisemitic prejudice, which waned after World War II but has resurfaced in recent decades. The emergence of Middle East Studies and Critical Race Theory further fanned the flames, painting Israel as an oppressive, occupying force and casting Jews as morally suspect due to their success.
Demographic changes and the rise of social justice activism have further fueled the fire. Affirmative action and “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” policies are discriminating against Jews, while cancel culture has made it nearly impossible for anyone not on the far-left to express an opinion. The assault on free speech on campus is simply un-American.
Let’s not forget the impact of social media and well-funded anti-Israel groups on this toxic environment. Platforms like TikTok have influenced the young minds of students, and groups like Students for Justice in Palestine have been promoting extremist anti-Israel rhetoric, backed by connections to terrorist organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah.
