A Jewish Princeton University freshman reported experiencing virulent antisemitism on campus during an anti-Israel protest, witnessing protesters flying Hezbollah flags and chanting in support of Hamas. The presence of such displays is emblematic of the moral decay on college campuses, according to the student. Despite the U.S. State Department designating Hezbollah as a foreign terrorist organization, these symbols were seen at the protest encampment on campus. Jewish students fear attending classes and engaging in regular student life due to the intimidation and calls for their extermination from pro-Hamas groups.
Counter-protester Maximillian Meyer, a politics student at Princeton, has been actively opposing anti-Israel organizations since the conflict in Gaza. He has typically been one of only a few students standing against the larger group demanding that the university divest from Israel and condemn its military actions against Hamas. Meyer explained that many Jewish students feel intimidated by pro-Hamas supporters, including some professors, leading to a reluctance to speak out. He emphasized that his protest is a stance in support of Israel and the United States, holding both Israeli and American flags to reflect this sentiment.
The presence of hateful and antisemitic chants at the protest encampment has made it difficult for Jewish students to focus on their education, with some feeling distracted and threatened by the calls for their genocide. Meyer called for the university administration to condemn such behavior and expressed disappointment in faculty members who have supported the anti-Israel protests. He specifically cited a professor who read a poem at the encampment that he deemed antisemitic, questioning its compliance with discrimination policies. Meyer highlighted the need for action beyond simply addressing the presence of tents on campus.
Following police intervention that led to two arrests at the tent encampment, Meyer acknowledged it as a positive step but insisted that more needed to be done to address the spread of antisemitism on campus. He stressed the importance of stopping the display of Hezbollah flags and other symbols that promote hate and violence against Jewish individuals. Despite the arrests and warnings from Princeton University police, he believes that overt antisemitism must be unequivocally condemned and addressed to create a safe and inclusive environment for all students.
The student’s account sheds light on the challenges faced by Jewish students on college campuses, where they may encounter antisemitism and intimidation from extremist groups during protests and demonstrations. The presence of symbols associated with terrorist organizations like Hezbollah adds to the fear and discomfort experienced by these students, impacting their ability to fully participate in academic and social life on campus. The need for universities to take decisive action to address and prevent instances of hate speech, discrimination, and intimidation is underscored by incidents like the one described by Meyer at Princeton University.