Thursday, January 19, 2023
Jewish community reacts to antisemitic display at FAU as the university denounces group's presence
At an event to help students find ways to get involved on Florida Atlantic University's campus, an antisemitic group set up a table with a banner that read, "#YeIsRight."
The hashtag referencing rapper Kanye West's recent antisemitic Twitter rant.
Although the tweets got the rapper kicked off the platform, his messaging about Jewish people sparked a movement among some of his followers.
"Yesterday on campus was the first time that I have ever been that personally close and had an in-person, face-to-face experience with antisemitism," FAU senior Amanda Baritz said.
Baritz, a self-described proud Jewish woman, said the presence of the group on her campus made her and others in the Jewish community nervous.
"All I want to do is make sure that I am safe, my Hillel family is safe, the students around me are safe and that everybody feels comfortable being a part of the Jewish community," she said.
Hillel is a campus Jewish organization. It assists with campus life for Jewish students at FAU, Palm Beach State College and Lynn University.
"I have seen antisemitism and this feels different these days," Adam Kolett, the executive director for Hillel in Broward and Palm Beach Counties said. "Antisemitism is much stronger."
FAU condemned the presence of the antisemitic group and it's banner. The University released a statement reading in part, "Florida Atlantic University strongly and unequivocally condemns hate and antisemitism. Florida Atlantic University believes in the freedoms provided by the First Amendment; however, we also denounce antisemitism in all its forms."
While some praised the University, others say it infringed on the free speech of demonstrators.
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