Police sent to Cornell Jewish center after threatening statements posted

Source: The Hill | October 30, 2023 | Sarah Fortinsky

Campus police were dispatched to Cornell University’s Jewish center, officials said, after antisemitic threats appeared on an online discussion board Sunday that included its address.

Cornell University President Martha Pollack condemned the “horrendous, antisemitic messages” and said in a statement that the Cornell University Police Department was investigating the threats. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was also informed about a potential hate crime, Pollack added. 

“Threats of violence are absolutely intolerable, and we will work to ensure that the person or people who posted them are punished to the full extent of the law,” Pollack said. “Our immediate focus is on keeping the community safe; we will continue to prioritize that.”

“The virulence and destructiveness of antisemitism is real and deeply impacting our Jewish students, faculty and staff, as well as the entire Cornell community,” Pollack added, noting antisemitism will not be tolerated at Cornell.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) also responded to what she characterized as “disgusting & hateful posts” by making clear the state government would provide any assistance needed to combat the rise in antisemitic activity on campuses.

“The disgusting & hateful posts on a message board about Jewish @Cornell students is the latest in a series of concerning incidents on college campuses,” Hochul wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday night.

“While it is unclear if these are credible threats, @nyspolice is engaged & we’ll take any steps needed to keep students safe,” she added.

Hochul also said she spoke to leaders representing the State University of New York system and the City University of New York, as well as officials from private and public universities across the state. She said she told them New York State Police and “and the whole of state government will continue to support their efforts to keep their students and campus communities safe.”

“I also reiterated our strong belief in free speech and the right to peaceful assembly, but made clear that we will have zero tolerance for acts of violence or those who intimidate and harass others through words or actions,” she added.

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