New York must fight to end anti-Semitism in our school: “The crisis is real”
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More than 500 days have passed since the October 7 attack on Hamas, the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust.
Cleverage of some politicians is over 500 days. Empty words over 500 days. However, hatred for the Jews did not decline, which was exploded. In New York, home to the largest Jewish population outside Israel, Jewish students are not only unpopular, but also unsafe.
Jewish students across New York were besieged. Numbers don’t lie:
- 72% of Jewish students feel unpopular on campus.
- 52% experienced anti-Semitism in person at school.
- 67% said their colleges did not take any action to protect them after October 7.
- 43% actively hide their Jewish identity out of fear.
The crisis is real and it is getting worse. The report places New York in the “hall of shame” of anti-Semitism on campus. Institutions such as Cornell, Columbia, New School and New York University have achieved failed results for handling attacks on Jews. City University of New York City (CUNY) and State University of New York (SUNY) schools are also plagued by repeated anti-Semitic harassment. This is unacceptable, it is a shame.
Trump administrators intolerant of anti-Semitism in schools, Leo Terrell
The New York Police Department cleared out pro-Barnard Academy protesters from Barnard College after a group of student protesters occupied the Milstein Library Wednesday night. (Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Let us be clear: freedom of speech does not mean freely curbing terrifying Jewish students. At Barnard College, we witnessed disruption in pro-Palestinian classrooms, protesters storming campuses, hurting school employees and escalating uncontrollable tensions. These people did not express their opinions. They made it impossible for Jewish students to study safely.
Students have the right to protest. They have no authority to direct property, threaten classmates or spread violent hatred. If you go from protest to persecution, the appropriate response is not a warning. This is eviction. Even though states such as Florida and Texas are taking bold action, New York leadership is still sleeping on the steering wheel. Meanwhile, Senator Chuck Schumer, Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams delivered equally tired speeches, condemning the hate in the press release and then doing nothing. Jewish students are still harassing, beating and silent. Democratic leaders in New York took the Jewish vote for granted, but they shouldn’t. They allowed the crisis to fester under their supervision.
As a proud Jewish American legislator and a member of the Jewish legislator caucus in the New York State Legislator, I refuse to stand up when our students are forced to live in fear. Fighting anti-Semitism has nothing to do with politics. It’s about moral clarity. That’s why I’m taking action.
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A woman holds a poster of Israeli hostage Omer Neutra during a commemoration ceremony in New York City during the October 7 attack in New York City on November 1, 2023. (Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images)
I introduced the Unified Anti-Hate Act, a bold common sense program designed to combat anti-Semitism through education, awareness and action. My bills include:
- A license plate for “New York and Israel Representative” – allows New Yorkers to proudly show their support while funding hostage rescue efforts.
- State High School Art Competition – Teach students the dangers of anti-Semitism and the reality expressed through creative expression on October 7.
It’s not just a policy, but to make sure the next generation understands Jewish hatred is not an abstract concept. This is a real danger.
Despite the verbal service provided by Democratic leaders in New York, President Donald Trump has been the strongest defender of American Jewish students. His administration took real action on campus anti-Semitism when others offered only empty talk. President Trump’s executive order on combating anti-Semitism gives the Department of Education the right to be responsible to universities under Chapter 6 of the Civil Rights Act. Due to this order, the federal government has begun investigating five universities that are rampant in anti-Semitic harassment. This is the real leadership. This is the standard we should ask for.
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Protesters showcased near Columbia University on February 2, 2024 near New York City. (Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images)
History will judge us based on our current work. Will we endure the hatred of Jews without being restricted, or will we take bold actions to stop it?
Jewish students don’t have to hide their identities to feel safe in school. They don’t have to doubt whether their professors, classmates or administrators will defend their rights. Of course, they should not support themselves, and politicians have nothing but hollow statements. If schools and universities refuse to take action, then we must be responsible for them. If they tolerate anti-Semitism, they should be funded – flat and simple.
This is a test of moral clarity. I know where I stand. Where are the leaders of New York?
