A widely-viewed video appearing to show people taking down flyers on the San Diego State University campus of kidnapped Israelis from the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas has prompted a response from university officials.
The video was posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, by the account “StopAntisemitism” and has received over 600,000 views. The organization describes itself as a “non-partisan American-based organization fighting Antisemitism” and has posted many videos of similar incidents occurring across the country.
SDSU officials released a statement saying the actions in the video “do not align with the university’s principles and may violate CSU anti-discrimination policies.” It also stated that the university was working to identify the individuals involved.
The statement and video have elicited backlash online from people on both sides of the issue.
“Address the acts of antisemitism on your campus,” one person commented on SDSU’s Instagram. “You’re endangering your Jewish students while ignoring it!”
Others referred to alleged threats of violence being made against pro-Palestinian protestors at the university.
“How are you going to protect Palestinian, Muslim, and Arab students who’ve been threatened with gun violence?” asked another commenter.
The alleged threats were publicized by student groups, including the Middle Eastern and North African Student Union (MENA) and the Students for Justice in Palestine organization, through social media posts.
“On Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023, the Palestinian, Muslim, and MENA community at San Diego State University attended an Associated Students University Council meeting to report the gun violence threats made against a group of Palestinian students on Campus,” said the post. “No official or representative of the University has addressed or taken action after the report.”
The student groups and others called on SDSU to “take action and acknowledge the violent threats.”
Associated Students, the independent, student-directed governance organization at SDSU, later posted a statement in which they condemned acts of hate, whether antisemitic or Islamaphobic.
“It’s not just about Islam, we are PALESTINIAN students on your campus getting harassed for our identity,” said the top-liked comment. “When are you going to acknowledge that we exist?”
While recent discussion about the topic has taken place online, there have also been several on-campus marches and vigils by student groups since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas.
SDSU is not the only college campus that has seen student-led advocacy due to the Israel-Hamas war.
Clashes between protestors have been reported at Indiana University, the University of Massachusetts, and the University of Washington, among others, while peaceful protests for both sides have occurred at many other universities.
Students who would like to report an incident can do so formally through SDSU’s website or by contacting the Dean of Students at [email protected].
“Immediately report incidents of concern to the university through appropriate channels as soon as possible,” said SDSU in a statement. “We are asking anyone with information to share details with the university using formal reporting mechanisms, such as Inclusive SDSU. No one should be made to feel unsafe given who they are. SDSU does not tolerate instances of harassment, discrimination or acts of violence targeting individuals based on their background.”
(Photos by Natali Gonzalez)
