In the early morning hours of April 14, unidentified individuals desecrated Kresge Hall and University Hall with vile antisemitic graffiti. As a proud member of Northwestern’s Jewish community, I was disgusted — but I can’t say I was shocked.
This repulsive act of hatred did not happen in a bubble. While we are still unsure as to whether the perpetrators came from within or outside the Northwestern community, this manifestation of antisemitism is a product of the sheer indifference towards Jew-hatred, both from the campus community and the general public.
Last April, our community saw just how little antisemitism mattered to our peers when encampment protestors chanted for the globalization of intifadas and posted antisemitic signs on the Deering Meadow fence. The intifadas, which mean “uprising” in Arabic, were periods of unrest in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, resulting in over 1,000 Israelis murdered by terrorists.
Jewish students faced verbal harassment and experienced social isolation from their peers. Our efforts to convey to the greater Northwestern community that the encampment was a breeding ground for antisemitism fell on deaf ears.
Across campus, student groups and individuals continue to perpetuate and normalize antisemitic rhetoric, largely under the guise of protesting Israel’s actions. Yet, the basis of the claims presented by these activists are legitimate.
I too am gravely concerned for the well-being of the Palestinians in Gaza, and stand largely opposed to the Israeli government’s continued military actions that seem to ignore the pleas of the families of the 59 hostages who have been held by Hamas terrorists for more than 18 months.
Many demonstrators, however, use their advocacy for Palestinians as a channel to express antisemitism, as we’ve seen in Evanston and beyond.
Twenty-first century social norms have largely (but not entirely) pushed hateful and bigoted sentiment to the extreme fringes of our society, particularly in progressive spaces. Yet, when it comes to addressing antisemitism, advocacy for Jewish communities is absent.
What happened last Monday is a result of unchecked antisemitism. It is a result of people not listening to the Jewish community when we call out antisemitism. It is a result of perpetrators of antisemitism facing ample praise and little punishment.
Consequently, Jews around the country are facing unprecedented levels of hatred. One day before the vandalism outside Kresge Hall, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family had to evacuate their home in the middle of the night when an arsonist, allegedly motivated by antisemitic ideas, attempted to burn down their house.
Let this despicable act of vandalism be a wake up call for the greater Northwestern community.
Calling out antisemitism starts at the granular level, whether it be in your social groups or in your extracurriculars. Through communal action, we can effectively work to curb the disturbing rise in antisemitism and build a safer community for everyone.
For those who support the vandals and their actions, know that our light will always outshine your darkness.
As we concluded Passover Sunday evening, I want to remind my fellow Jewish peers of one of the key lessons we take away from this holiday.
Our freedom and strength as a people is intrinsic to our pride and courage. I implore you to be proud of your Jewish identity, celebrate with your Jewish community and never let these cowardly attempts to intimidate and harass our communities hinder the way you express your Jewishness.
Chag Sameach and Am Yisrael Chai.
Tobias Khabie is a Medill Junior. He can be contacted at [email protected] If you would like to respond publicly to this op-ed, send a Letter to the Editor to [email protected]. The views expressed in this piece do not necessarily reflect the views of all staff members of The Daily Northwestern.
