In the face of escalating antisemitism and violence at Ivy League universities, Columbia rabbi Elie Buechler has implored Jewish students to leave and not return, citing the university’s inability to guarantee their safety amid extreme antisemitism. This concern is not unfounded, as incidents of harassment and assault targeting Jewish students have become alarmingly prevalent. At Columbia, an anti-Israel protester directed hateful slurs and gestures towards counterprotesters, echoing the Nazi rhetoric of the past. Similarly, at Yale, a Jewish student was stabbed in the eye with a Palestinian flag by an anti-Israel protester.
At Harvard, Jewish students have faced ongoing antisemitism and a lack of protection from the university. Despite facing a congressional probe for these failures, Harvard has been uncooperative in addressing the issue. Jewish students have been forced to remove menorahs for Hanukkah each night to prevent vandalism, while pro-Palestinian displays have received 24/7 security.
Furthermore, Penn has hired an antisemitic cartoonist, Dwayne Booth, to teach, despite its efforts to fire professor Amy Wax for criticizing affirmative action policies. Booth’s cartoons perpetuate dangerous anti-Semitic tropes, including depicting Zionists sipping blood from wine glasses.
Acts of violence and threats of violence against Jewish students extend beyond the Ivy League. At Berkeley, a female freshman was choked during a pro-Palestinian protest, and pro-Palestinian protesters mobbed a dinner at the law dean’s house, publishing flyers showing the dean, who is Jewish, drinking blood from a wine glass.
These incidents bear striking similarities to the Nazi blockade of the University of Vienna in 1938, effectively barring Jewish students from entry. Fear and intimidation are becoming pervasive on our nation’s elite campuses, creating an environment that is hostile to Jewish students.
In light of these alarming developments, the author, Glenn Harlan Reynolds, extends an invitation to Jewish students at these institutions to consider relocating to universities in red states like Tennessee. In such states, support for Israel is prevalent, and intimidation, harassment, and lawlessness are not tolerated. Red-state college towns offer excellent amenities and a welcoming atmosphere, including a lively Jewish presence.
While the Ivy League may offer prestigious degrees, the hostility and threats faced by Jewish students are a significant concern. By choosing to attend universities in red states, Jewish students can prioritize their safety and well-being while still receiving a quality education in a supportive and inclusive environment.
