Dear Editor,
Since October 7th, Jewish students at the University of Cincinnati (UC) have voiced growing frustration over the UC administration’s failure to take meaningful action against pro-Palestinian groups like Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and outside agitators, allowing antisemitism to spread unchecked on campus.
On Friday, November 18th, UC Hillel hosted a speaker, Dalia Ziada, to discuss “Arab Countries’ Relationship with Israel.” From the outset, SJP members and outside individuals arrived at the event, making obscene gestures and shouting threats — one even reportedly saying, “We will find you” in Arabic. UC Police had to be called, and students were escorted under police protection to the UC Hillel building, where they were effectively confined for four hours. The speaker, Ms. Ziada, was escorted by police to her hotel for safety.
This harassment was clearly coordinated by SJP and external groups. During the incident, the UCPD advised Jewish students and the speaker not to engage with the harassers, even suggesting they were “making it worse.” This amounts to victim-blaming and reflects the broader issue many students feel: that the administration has failed to adequately address antisemitism on campus.
One student at the event remarked, “I’m glad this is happening because maybe someone will finally do something.” Since October 7th, these students have endured constant harassment, been targeted by both student and outside groups, and one student even had their dorm room defaced with excrement. It is long past time for action against SJP and outside agitators to prevent further harm to Jewish students.
This also brings up concerns (we are writing this on Nov. 19th) about the upcoming UC Law School event on Tuesday, November 20th, titled “Resisting Complicity: Genocide in Gaza and Our Role,” featuring Rep. Munira Abdullahi and Josh Paul. Abdullahi, who was the sole legislator to vote against Ohio’s resolution condemning Hamas and supporting Israel, has a troubling history. Before entering politics, she worked for the Muslim American Society, which has been linked by federal prosecutors to the Muslim Brotherhood. Abdullahi has also promoted events featuring speakers from organizations with known ties to terrorism.
Josh Paul, who resigned from the U.S. State Department following the October 7th attacks, has become an outspoken critic of Israel, falsely accusing it of genocide while defending Hamas’s actions. Both Abdullahi and Paul have spent the past year defending Hamas and perpetuating the false narrative that Israel is the aggressor. They justify violence against Jews and encourage the demonization of Israel. Allowing such individuals to speak at UC, especially in light of the events at Hillel, is deeply troubling.
As a university that trains future lawyers, UC should be teaching its students the true meaning of genocide. Instead, the UC Law School is giving a platform to individuals who promote antisemitic tropes and dehumanize Jews. According to UC Police, many attendees at SJP events are not even students, raising questions about who is funding and organizing these events. This event serves as a dangerous endorsement of hate and sends a clear message that the administration is tacitly endorsing the actions of outside agitators.
For their part, UC Hillel and Chabad have done admirable work, and we should do everything in our part to support them. However, Jewish students on campus are still facing harassment, discrimination, and verbal abuse, with the administration turning a blind eye. We need to make it clear to UC leadership — specifically to Dean Pinto and Associate Dean Hamoudi — that the moral decay at UC will not go unnoticed, and that they need to take meaningful action against SJP and they must send a clear message to outside groups that their harassment of Jewish students will not be tolerated.
To our Jewish students who have faced harassment, discrimination, and abandonment by the UC administration, we stand with you. You are not alone, and we will continue to fight for you.
Cincinnati Coalition For Israel
Cincinnati,OH