Antisemitism reared its ugly head at CUNY’s Queens College during a pro-Israel rally, sources said Wednesday.
During the event on Monday at the Flushing campus, a pro-Palestinian activist approached the Jewish students and ranted, “Go back to Poland!. Go back to Germany. That’s where you’re from.”
The tirade, which included lewd gestures, was captured on video.
Israeli flags were also taken and trampled on by anti-Israel protestors, Jewish students complained.
Assemblyman Sam Berger, who reps the Queens College area, said he has fielded complaints from Jewish students and parents about harassment.
“Tensions have been high on campus for several weeks. The Muslim Student Association is making antisemitic posts. They’re using the Queens College name to spread hate and there are no repercussions,” Berger fumed.
Telling Jewish students to go back to Germany and Poland is a hateful, antisemitic remark, Berger said.
Antisemitism reared its ugly head at CUNY’s Queens College during a pro-Israel rally, sources said Wednesday. StopAntisemitism/X“I have grandparents who are Holocaust survivors. To hear someone say, ‘Go back to Poland, go back to Germany’ is terrifying,” the assemblyman said.
“We’re from disagreement to hate speech. That has to stop. I hope we can de-escalate the tension. I don’t want to see anyone get hurt.”
Queens College has a considerable number of both Jewish and Muslim students.
QC President Frank Wu previously announced a probe of harassment and bigotry on campus and denounced the Muslim Student Association for issuing “false and misleading” posts that “denied the brutal actions” Hamas committed against Israeli civilians during the October 7th attack.
He addressed complaints of harassment and discrimination in a letter to the QC community on Wednesday.
Israel hostage deal: What is it?
Israel and Hamas have reached a deal for the release of 50 hostages held captive by the terrorist organization in exchange for a 4-day pause in hostilities and the release of Palestinian prisoners.
The cessation in fighting could be extended an extra day for every 10 hostages released by Hamas.
Three Americans could be released in the deal.
The Red Cross will visit hostages who have not yet been released.
Hamas said Israel would release 150 Palestinian prisoners as part of the deal.
Hamas took 240 people hostage and killed over 1,200 in its October 7 terrorist attacks.
“Queens College opposes bigotry in any form; this includes combatting antisemitism and Islamophobia, as well as racism and sexism and other discriminatory behavior that are explicit and implicit,” Wu said.
“We endeavor to avoid the stereotypes that are repeated all around us in society while also ensuring that individual instances of conduct violations are addressed through applicable policies and processes. The safety of the campus community is paramount, and we will continue to investigate reports of any actions that compromise it,” he said.
He said the college has beefed up security patrols and is working closely with the 107th Precinct to help protect students and staff.
He urged students and employees to report alleged harassment or assault to the Office of Compliance and Diversity.
Other New York universities have also come under fire for alleged antisemitism.
Three New York colleges — Columbia, Cornell, and Cooper Union — are among seven schools being investigated by the Department of Education over complaints of antisemitism and Islamophobia on campus.
During the event on Monday at the Flushing campus, a pro-Palestinian activist approached the Jewish students and ranted, “Go back to Poland!. Go back to Germany. That’s where you’re from.” StopAntisemitism/XA Cornell student was recently arrested for making anti-Jewish death threats.
Meanwhile, Gov. Kathy Hochul has ordered a separate state probe of antisemitism at City University of New York campuses.
The Muslim Student Association could not immediately be reached for comment.
