University President John T. Casteen III joined over 300 college and university presidents Oct. 7 in condemning the intimidation of Jewish students on college campuses in a full-page statement in the New York Times.
The statement, chiefly authored by Rev. Theodore Hesburgh, the president emeritus of the University of Notre Dame, said, "death threats and threats of violence . . . will not be tolerated on campuses."
Casteen said the statement grew out of meetings of college presidents following incidents elsewhere around the country and the July bombing at Hebrew University in Jerusalem that left seven students dead, including five Americans.
There was a fear among college officials that campus violence would spread to other colleges, Casteen said.
University Jewish student leaders and faculty, however, agree that there has been a remarkable lack of anti-Semitism on Grounds.
Vanessa Ochs, director of the Jewish Studies program, said she has seen "no evidence of students having been overtly intimidated."
Ochs speculated, though, that many pro-Israel students may be potentially frightened to voice their opinions because of incidents at other campuses.
Robert Schwartz, campus political coordinator for Hoos for Israel, also said, to his knowledge, there has been no harm or damage to Jewish students or Jewish property at the University.
Attributing much of the animosity faced by pro-Israel students to "misinformed opinions," Schwartz said even with a heightened interest in the Middle East since Sept. 11, 2001 many people are "not educated on the dynamics of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict."
Hoos for Israel was formed over the summer and purports to be non-political, supporting only the right for Israel to exist but not specific Israeli policies.
Liors Klirs, also a club founder, said the club has received some opposition but "nothing that would cross the line." The tension has spawned mostly intelligent "constructive debates among University students," Schwartz said.
Some students feel, though, that the statement was too constrained and should have addressed the intimidation of Muslim students as well.
Khadijat Olanrewaju, head of the political programs for the Muslim Student Association, said although Sept. 11 didn't result in physical intimidation of Muslim students, the attacks and the country's reaction made students much more aware of their identity.
Despite this sentiment, Olanrewaju said the University administration failed to provide the high profile support that Muslim students desired immediately after and since the attacks, which Casteen now is providing for Jewish students.
Zeenat Iqbal, the president of the Muslim Student Association, said the University, however, chose to work behind the scenes to help Muslim students. The Office of the Dean of Students, for example, sponsored an Afghan refugee dinner during the holy month of Ramadan last spring.
Although behind the scenes help was appreciated, Olanrewaju said the University should have been more open with its support.
Casteen said he released several public letters last year following the attacks calling for "mutual respect" of all students.
Ochs said that "in an ideal world" the document should have denounced all intimidation against all students.
"However, in the same way Muslim students were fearful after September 11, the reality is many Jewish students are feeling the same way now," Ochs said.
The American Jewish Committee sponsored the advertisement.
The organization, boasting 30 chapters nationwide, works to protect Jews around the world.
Read More
Student Council votes to relocate Hereford orchard and basketball hoop
By Lauren Seeliger | 3 hours agoStudent Council passed a resolution Tuesday to relocate the orchard and basketball hoop of Hereford Residential College due to construction in the surrounding area.
Dean Rucker honored with Z Society’s highest honor, Pale Z Award
By Brendon Bordwine | 19 hours agoThe Society has a storied history of honoring University leaders with the Pale Z.
Students receive free STI testing through U.Va. Health and Wellness
By Jackie Bond | YesterdayThrough funding from Student Council, students are now able to receive free STI testing with SHW which includes tests for HIV, Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia and Hepatitis C.
