Today, Explained The fight over campus antisemitism
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Dec 12, 2023 
Nia Prater, a reporter for New York Magazine's Intelligencer, dives into the heated debates surrounding campus antisemitism and its impact on college leadership. She reveals the fallout as some university presidents face resignations after congressional hearings. Derek Penzler, a Harvard history professor and director of the Center for Jewish Studies, provides context on the complex atmosphere for Jewish students amidst rising pro-Palestinian protests. The discussion emphasizes the challenges of balancing free speech and antisemitism while advocating for open dialogue on contentious issues.
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Campus Unrest
- Pro-Palestinian protesters took over buildings at MIT, and threatening behavior occurred at UPenn.
- Doxxing of Harvard students who signed a pro-Palestine statement happened.
Congressional Hearing
- Three university presidents testified before Congress regarding antisemitism on their campuses.
- They faced backlash for not explicitly stating that calls for Jewish genocide violate school conduct codes.
Slogans and Intimidation
- Explicit calls for genocide haven't been widely reported, but interpretations of pro-Palestinian slogans cause tension.
- Some students feel intimidated by protests, and the hearing fueled criticism of school policies.