The weekend posting of anti-Semitic threats to a Cornell University fraternity and sorority forum, including threats to murder Jews on campus, prompted a police response and intervention by the governor of New York.
According to the university’s Hillel chapter, at least one of the postings threatened to shoot “pig Jews” at Cornell’s Center for Jewish Living and kosher dining hall.
The postings are the latest in a series of incidents on college campuses across the country since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war, which followed the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks that resulted in the deaths of more than 1,400 Israelis and the kidnapping of more than 220 by Hamas and their transfer to Gaza.
“Earlier today, a series of horrifying antisemitic messages threatening violence against our Jewish community were posted on an unaffiliated website,” Cornell President Martha E. Pollack said in a statement released on Sunday.
The Cornell University Police Department will remain at the Center for Jewish Living to assure the safety of the community members, according to Pollack.
Pollack stated, “Threats of violence are absolutely intolerable, and we will work to ensure that those responsible are punished to the full extent of the law.” The safety of the community is our top priority, and we will continue to prioritize this.
The threats were submitted to the Cornell Greekrank forums on Saturday and Sunday, according to the Cornell Sun, which also reported that some of the posts were eventually removed.
The Sun reported that one message threatened to rape Jewish female pupils and decapitate Jewish infants in front of their parents. Another advocated that students should follow Jewish students off campus and cut their throats.
Cornell Hillel, a campus center for Jewish life, condemned the threats and urged students to exercise caution in a statement.
“At this time, we advise that students and staff avoid the (104 West!) building out of an abundance of caution,” according to the Hillel center. As additional information becomes available, we will continue to provide updates. as well as more generally toward Jewish students, faculty, and personnel in the dining hall.”
Monday morning, New York Governor Kathy Hochul met with Jewish students on the Cornell campus, “who are demonstrating extraordinary strength and unity in the face of vile antisemitic threats.”
Hochul stated on X, formerly known as Twitter, “We have zero tolerance for hatred or violence, and I have directed @nyspolice to increase security on college campuses and throughout New York.”
Hochul was joined at a news conference at Cornell on Monday morning by Pollack, state and local police, and Jewish students who reside in the CJL, attend services there, or dine at 104West!
Hochul stated, “We will not tolerate threats, antisemitism, or any form of hatred that makes people feel vulnerable, exposes them, and makes them feel insecure in a place where they should be able to enjoy campus life without fear of harm.”
She added, “If the perpetrators are identified, they will be prosecuted.” The citizens of the state must hear this message loud and clear. No tolerance will exist in the state of New York.”
Hochul stated that state police have already increased security on all New York college campuses following the attack on Israel on October 7, and that the increased security will continue for the next few weeks.
Adin Moskowitz, one of the pupils present at the press conference, stated that he attends daily morning services and kosher meals at the CJL. According to a report in the Daily Sun, he described securing himself in his North Campus dormitory as the threats unfolded, not knowing what would occur.
“It was shocking and frightening to see direct attacks on a community center that serves as my home,” Moskowitz said. I did not anticipate something similar to occur at Cornell.
Aaron Goldgewert ’27, another student who attended the press conference, stated that he prays in the CJL three times per day and consumes most of his meals in the dining hall. He was having dinner at 104West! on Sunday evening when the news of the threats broke, and he described the chaotic scene that ensued until campus police and the school’s president arrived.
Pollack and Vice President Ryan Lombardi “came to show support and leadership,” Goldgewert said, according to a Daily Sun article, and to answer students’ questions.
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