Rising Tensions on College Campuses: Jewish Students Fear for Safety

Discover the alarming rise in tensions and acts of hate targeting Jewish students, causing them to fear for their safety on college campuses.

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By Kevin McGill, Stephen Smith and COollin Binkley

New Orleans, Nov 10 AP - As a Jewish student, Eden Roth always has felt safe and welcome at Tulane University, where more than 40 per cent of the students are Jewish. That has been tested by the aftermath of last month's Hamas incursion into Israel. Graffiti appeared on the New Orleans campus with the message "from the river to the sea," a rallying cry for pro-Palestinian activists. Then came a clash between duelling demonstrations, where a melee led to three arrests and left a Jewish student with a broken nose.

"I think that the shift of experience with Jews on campus was extremely shocking," said Roth, who was in Israel last summer for a study-abroad program. "A lot of students come to Tulane because of the Jewish population — feeling like they're supported, like a majority rather than a minority. And I think that's definitely shifted." Tulane isn't alone. On other campuses, long-simmering tensions are erupting in violence and shattering the sense of safety that makes colleges hubs of free discourse.

Acts of Hate Across Campuses

Students on both sides are witnessing acts of hate, leaving many fearing for their safety even as they walk to classrooms. Threats and clashes have sometimes come from within, including at Cornell, where a student is accused of posting online threats against Jewish students. A University of Massachusetts student was arrested after allegedly punching a Jewish student and spitting on an Israeli flag at a demonstration.

A Range Of Perspectives Among Students

The unease is felt acutely at Tulane, where 43 per cent of students are Jewish—the highest percentage among colleges that are not explicitly Jewish. Within the student Jewish community there is range perspectives on conflict latest war began attack Oct militants targeted towns farming communities music festival near Gaza border killing more than people Israel responded weeks attacks which killed according Health Ministry most them Palestinian civilians Emma Sackheim law school grew up supporter state but now considers herself opponent Zionism knows oppose policies don’t feel comfortable publicly say anything standing side she when asked about Oct demonstration took place along public street runs through campus Still says where feels most comfortable Jew know options community said

Rising Tensions Amidst Calls For Inclusion

On campuses around US both sides subjected taunts rhetoric oppose very existence since invasion subsequent assault northern see rallies anonymous message boards frequented college graffiti scrawled dorms buildings under police investigation possible hate crime Free Palestine found written this week window Boston University’s Hillel center Colleges scrambling restore security stressing messages inclusion diverse bodies But untangling protected political speech crosses into threatening language daunting task

Balancing Free Speech And Security Concerns

Tulanes president Michael Fitts described increased presence other measures messages lamented loss innocent lives reaching out Muslim groups religious organisations faced criticism people seeking forceful statements Islam Elrabieey example seeks condemnation actions To condemn good thing native Egypt visiting scholar Middle East North African Studies program didn’t commit committing double standard places encourage intellectual debate surprising seen heated conflict Jonathan Fansmith senior vice president American Council Education association university presidents different factions disagree line between abuse puts difficult Everyone incredibly sympathetic who threat alarming rise antisemitic something universities take seriously responsibility balance rights critiques find disagreeable dislike finding difficult After facing trying remain too neutral Harvard Thursday condemned phrase historical meanings many imply eradication ProPalestinian activists world chanted phrase aftermath raid

Jewish Students Facing Uncertain Times At Tulane

At Tulane Roth some rattled enough make them think twice visiting Mintz Center headquarters organization dont completely safe choice embrace these times interview building lot friends nervous wear Star David necklaces kippah even come building critical not let fear consume us Lea Jackson freshman Jersey describes modern Orthodox concerned supporters nervous expressing views large numbers The raid made reluctant speak others outspoken recently spent gap year family harder civil conversation emotions tension high personally connected this AP RUP RUP