Temple University —- Anti-Semitism Battleground

SJP.jpgTemple University has become the latest focal point for groups concerned about the spreading wave of campus anti-Semitism and academic-based Holocaust minimizing.

Temple student Daniel Vessal, a fellow with CAMERA (Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America), was drawn into a verbal exchange with anti-Israel activists at the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) table during an official college event on August 20, 2014. Vessal, in his junior year at the Temple University Fox School of Business, studying Management Information Systems and Entrepreneurship, was allegedly called a “kike,” “Zionist pig,” and “baby killer.” He was slapped so hard at the SJP table that he was sent to the hospital.

A police investigation and legal action are underway. The assaultive SJP supporter has purportedly apologized, according to a published SJP statement, which states: “I’m sorry for what I did. I admit I lost my temper.”

With lightning speed, fourteen Jewish organizations reacted to the assault, releasing a joint public letter of protest to Temple University. The letter complained:

 “A university campus should be the setting for thoughtful discussion and intellectual debate. Such an atmosphere should be encouraged by all responsible student groups. Unfortunately, Students for Justice in Palestine is not such a group. It has a proven track record of intimidation, harassment, and incitement merging into anti-Semitism against Israel and its supporters on campus.”

The swift-response joint letter was a collective effort spearheaded by the Coalition for Campus Tolerance composed of 5 organizations – Americans for Peace and Tolerance, CAMERA, the David Horowitz Freedom Center, Stand with Us and the Zionist Organization of America. Other groups that joined in included Hasbara Fellowships, Proclaiming Justice to The Nations, Scholars for Peace in the Middle East, Simon Wiesenthal Center Campus Outreach, The Lawfare Project and The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law.

Students for Justice in Palestine has been accused of fomenting violence and hate at campuses elsewhere. In March of this year, the Northeastern University chapter in Boston was suspended for a year after distributing “mock eviction notices” throughout the dorms. After the mock evictions, every Northeastern student was sent an email from Robert Jose, Northeastern’s Associate Dean for Cultural and Residential Life, who asserted, “We do not condone any behavior that causes members of our community to feel targeted and/or intimidated.” After a tumult of police interrogations, online petitions, and organizational appeals by SJP, Northeastern reinstated the controversial group beginning this fall pursuant to strict oversight guidelines.

StandWithUs CEO Roz Rothstein noted:

“All those who care about promoting a safe and peaceful environment on college campuses that encourages civilized debate should be concerned about Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and their track record of promoting hateful campaigns across the country that can lead to violence like this.

Scholars for Peace in the Middle East executive director Asaf Romirowsky added,

“The latest at Temple is indicative of a larger trend growing on campuses — something we are seeing at both the faculty and student levels … giving rise to the BDS movement and to those seeking Israel’s destruction.”

Romirowsky referred to “the latest at Temple.” Indeed, the university has recently been in the spotlight for minimizing the Holocaust. On June 9 of this year, Temple University president Neil D. Theobald received a formal complaint from the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law about Holocaust minimizing. Brandeis protested that Temple University Adjunct Professor Alessio Lerro had argued that “Jews are exaggerating the extent of the Holocaust to obtain political advantages.” Lerro’s remarks were made during the fractious debate over a proposed Modern Language Association boycott of Israel. In an online post, Lerro reportedly quipped, “Six million? mh…. we all know (or should know) that the counting of Jews is a bit controversial.” After a furor, a university spokesman caused further angst when he explained, “the exercise of academic freedom necessarily results in a vigorous exchange of ideas.” After that rankling apologia, Brandeis issued its stern letter of rebuke.

Ironically, the day after the assault against Vessal, Temple announced a record $69.7 million in charitable donations for the fiscal year. This figure topped the previous year’s take, which was $65.8 million. As a 501(c)(3), every million dollars in tax-deductible donations raised by Temple is subsidized by general taxpayers in the amount of $400,000. Temple’s fundraising brochures declare, “Our students embody what it means to be Temple Made. But they couldn’t be who they are if you didn’t do what you do.” University President Theobald has stated, “We deeply appreciate the donors who recognize the power of Temple to contribute to the well-being of our city, state and nation.” More than 137,000 individual donations were made to Temple between 2010 and 2012 alone, according to university records examined. The university’s benefactors include many major gifts from Jewish donors and foundations arising from or controlled by Jewish individuals.

In addition, millions of dollars have been contributed by ordinary corporations and foundations. These include UnitedHealthcare and a division of Staples, both of which have robustly funded the university. The Fox School of Business, where Vessal is a student, maintains an entire web presence for corporate partners. At press time, the Business School’s Corporate section displayed a slideshow honoring senior executives from the ranks of HSBC Bank, Marriott, American Express, Blackstone Private Equity, Korman Communities, and Hershey’s.

If those protesting anti-Semitic agitation and Holocaust minimizing at Temple are serious about effecting a change, they might be sending their complaints to the wrong address.

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  • Robert Segal

    A disgrace. I am from Philadelphia, which has a big Jewish community, from which many students go to Temple. The community should stand up for Jewish students. The one consolation: Temple is a third-rate university.

  • Surak1

    Is hatred for the n@zis a curse on them because they are responsible for the horrendous murder of 6 million Jews? Yes. Unfortunately, their fans like Evern@zi live on. They are emboldened by their sacrilegious wicked libel that has caused genocide and inspired jihad among the Muslims. Those who casually quote their scripture should remember Genesis 12:
    1. And the Lord had said to Abram, Get out from your country, and from your family, and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you;
    2. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing;
    3. And I will bless those who bless you, and curse him who curses you; and in you shall all families of the earth be blessed.

  • Metatrona

    NO FOUNDATIONS OR CORPORATIONS SHOULD CONTRIBUTE ANY MONEY TO TEMPLE U. They are unworthy. The guilty students should be expelled. The students who were assaulted should sue the University and sue the guilty students (and their families) for damages.

  • KyraNelson

    Here’s a boycott plan for ya- ALL Jewish students boycott these leftard colleges and universities. With their smart selves comes their parents’ FULL tuition $$. ALL Alumni of these same institutions of “higher learning” STOP giving money, endowments, promised gifts, anything at all also. Wonder what would happen.

  • justinburch505

    Oh come on if you are going to promote hatred against Jews surely you can come up with better than that old, much refuted one.

  • laura r

    is SA giving them money? they donate up to $50,000,000 to colleges.

  • uleaveuswithnoalternative

    Surely you can come up with something better than that old canard?
    Jesus was a Torah observant Jew. Paul (Sha’ul) was a Pharisee and studied under the renowned Rabbi Gamaliel. The New Testament was written by Jews for Jews and every one of the apostles were Jewish.
    Jews lined the streets welcoming Yeshua (Jesus) on Palm Sunday, and Jesus said that He laid down His life willingly, that no one took it from him.
    If you want to blame someone for the death of Yeshua, perhaps you should be blaming the Roman’s and their evil, pagan empire.
    Your idiotic, self righteous condemnation of Jews is the basis fro all anti-Semisitsm in the world and in the modern church.

  • uleaveuswithnoalternative

    Surely you can come up with something better than that old canard?
    Jesus was a Torah observant Jew. Paul (Sha’ul) was a Pharisee and studied under the renowned Rabbi Gamaliel. The New Testament was written by Jews for Jews and every one of the apostles were Jewish.
    Jews lined the streets welcoming Yeshua (Jesus) on Palm Sunday, and Jesus said that He laid down His life willingly, that no one took it from him.

    If you want to blame someone for the death of Yeshua, perhaps you should be blaming the Roman’s and their evil, pagan empire.
    Your moronic, self righteous condemnation of Jews is the basis for all anti-Semisitsm in the world and in the modern church.

    By the way, Herod was a Jew.

  • SCREW SOCIALISM

    I prefer SNP – Students for NAKBA in Pal-e-SWINE.

  • SCREW SOCIALISM

    Repent, SINNER.