BALTIMORE — Tensions have risen on college campuses across the country since the war between Israel and Hamas began, as schools struggle to balance freedom of expression with condemnation of hate.
At the University of Maryland’s main campus in College Park, events at marches last month, including anti-Semitic chants and chalk graffiti saying “Holocaust 2.0,” have unnerved students.
I never thought I would see this @UofMarylandmother Mother.
Students chant “There is only one solution: the uprising revolution.”
“Holocaust 2.0” is written on campus.
A university with the fourth largest Jewish student population in the country – over 6,000 students (20% of the campus). pic.twitter.com/7hVVwkxPjq
– Jonathan Allen ✡️ (@jonathanallen44) November 10, 2023
Some lawmakers, including Congressman Steny Hoyer, condemned the actions on campus.
The school also issued a statement titled, “UMD Condemns Anti-Semitism in Uncertain Terms.”
WJZ recently sat down with juniors Alexis Selhavy and Noah Rabinowitz — both from Baltimore County — at Maryland Hillel, the school’s Jewish campus organization.
“I have definitely encountered anti-Semitism whether it was personally or with my friends,” Rabinowitz said. “Antisemitism as a whole on campus has grown significantly. It’s certainly more pronounced now than in the last month. It’s certainly more pronounced.”
“It brings up a feeling of fear and insecurity that we have to live with,” Selhavy told us. “It was an uncomfortable place. At times, I felt unsafe, and I know our community feels that way.”
There is a security notice on the door warning people not to let anyone they do not know or trust into the building while a campus police car is in the parking lot.
((Add the attached photo of the police car in Maryland Hillel))
Rabbi Ari Israel is the Executive Director of Maryland Hillel.
WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren asked him if some students are scared now given the weather.
“Unfortunately, they are,” Rabbi Israel said. “Students’ fear is real. It’s emotional. I don’t think students are unsafe on this campus.”
He went on to say, “I know they are uncomfortable, and for many students the difference between being uncomfortable and unsafe is fear.”
Rabbi Israel said he had not seen any more calls for violence and incivility than at other schools. However, he said some people were now more open with their anti-Semitic views.
“We’ve been dealing with anti-Semitic incidents in Maryland for as long as I can remember. This is my 21st year, my 28th year at Hillel, and it’s present. Now, it’s visible. Now, it’s vocal,” he said.
The writings on “Holocaust 2.0” are scathing.
“My grandparents were killed in the Holocaust,” Israel told WJZ. “When someone says this is a Holocaust, deep down I know what a Holocaust is and I don’t dare use that word.”
He also denounced the chants heard at several recent rallies on campus.
“The overwhelming majority of students on campus so far are decent, good human beings… The phrase ‘from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free’ is anti-Semitic, and others say: ‘Well, we don’t do that.'” it means that.’ “I will tell you what that means to me and what it means to us: It is anti-Semitism. It calls for the destruction and dismantling of the Jewish state. It calls for the displacement of Jews,” he said.
At a recent protest, WJZ spoke to a student supporting the Palestinians who said he did not feel like the school administration supported him.
The student, who refused to give his name, said: “Our university is working to silence us.” “We have freedom of speech and freedom to protest even when our president tries to limit that. We have that power.”
“The alarming rise internationally in anti-Semitism and Islamophobia on many campuses, including our own, must be addressed head-on,” University of Maryland President Dr. Darrell Baines recently wrote to students.
You can read his letter here.
Dr Baines also wrote: “Let’s be clear: the university condemns anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and hatred in all its forms. Stop.”
Selhavy told Helgren that it’s hard to escape hate. “When they draw things that are anti-Semitic and hurtful, the chalk doesn’t just go away. Yes, they force wash it away. The university was great about taking immediate action on that, but those images don’t just go away. The effects they have on people don’t just go away,” she said. “.
Her colleague Rabinowitz agreed. “It’s hard to avoid it. It’s hard to hide from it,” he told Helgren. “My biggest fear — and the thing that makes me most uncomfortable — is just being in class because, for example, I have Jewish friends. We talk about things that happen, and sometimes I tell them ‘lower your voice’ or ‘I don’t want to talk about that. “Here in the hallways and classrooms.”
Nationally, the Anti-Defamation League reported that anti-Semitic incidents increased by 388 percent in the weeks following the Hamas attack.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations observed a 216% rise in complaints related to Islamophobia.
“They feel double victimized. On the one hand, they watch thousands of civilians being killed. Then they are retaliated against with hate crimes and hate incidents.” Ahmed Rehab of the Council on American-Islamic Relations told CBS News.
CBS News’ 60 Minutes recently highlighted and spoke to this issue Leaders at Columbia University.
During a congressional hearing last week, several university presidents spoke They faced criticism for their response to hate speech.
The U.S. Department of Education is currently investigating several schools nationally for civil rights violations, although none are in Maryland.
In California, students are suing UC Berkeley on anti-Semitism.
In the wake of recent events at the University of Maryland, chalk letters have been restricted in certain areas and a new task force will be formed Addressing Islamophobia and anti-Semitism.
The school is also adding 80 employees to its police force to increase visibility and has instituted ID checks for those entering campus.
Maryland Rabbi Hillel Israel said he supports the recent actions taken by university administration and campus police, and urged people to come together peacefully.
“The person who hates me will probably never agree, but the person who doesn’t know me yet — and knows us yet — is someone we hope we can influence for the better to realize that we’re all in this situation.” “As part of humanity that cares about life,” Israel said.
Students told WJZ that the tense campus climate has to change and they remain optimistic that it will.
“Nothing is the same anymore, and it’s hard to be in these settings where we’re supposed to be normal college students and we can’t be,” Silhavy said. “I think we can only hope that things will get better. There is no other way to look up.”
You can read the latest developments on The war between Israel and Hamas is here.
The University of Maryland has long been known for its diverse and inclusive campus, but recent hate incidents targeting Jewish students have sparked a growing concern among the student body. As reports of anti-Semitic vandalism, harassment, and intimidation have increased, students are speaking out about their experiences and calling for action to address this disturbing trend. With a rise in hate incidents on campus, the university community is coming together to address the issue and ensure that all students feel safe and welcome on campus.