Heinous antisemitic slogans were beamed onto buildings at the University of Pennsylvania in the latest disturbing incident at the Ivy League institution — as the school faces a civil rights complaint accusing it of being “a magnet for antisemites.”
Multiple social media accounts Thursday shared pictures of a “light show” that saw anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian messages projected onto the walls of the campus’ buildings.
“From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” read one message lit up against the John M Huntsman hall.
“Zionism is racism,” another declared.
“Penn funds Palestinian genocide,” a third said.
The hateful slogans are just the latest brazen act of antisemitism at the prestigious university.
UPenn president Liz Magill recently acknowledged a rise in antisemitic acts on campus including “swastikas and hateful graffiti” as well as “chants at rallies, captured on video and widely circulated, that glorify the terrorist atrocities of Hamas, that celebrate and praise the slaughter and kidnapping of innocent people, and that question Israel’s very right to exist.”
Antisemitic slogans were beamed onto buildings at the University of Pennsylvania. ShutterstockThe anti-Jewish culture has become so pervasive that the Brandeis Center said it was filing a complaint against UPenn — as well as Wellesley College — with the Office of Civil Rights in the US Department of Education.
The complaint alleges that “Penn has allowed its campus to become a hostile environment for its Jewish students as well as a magnet for anti-Semites.”
According to Kenneth L. Marcus, founder and chairman of the Brandeis Center and former US assistant secretary of education, colleges and universities have “failed to keep Jewish students safe and are in clear violation of well-established federal civil rights law.”
UPenn president Liz Magill recently acknowledged a rise in antisemitic acts on campus. Liz Magill/Facebook“There’s been a lot of talk about rooting out antisemitism on campuses, and it’s time to hold these colleges accountable,” he added.
The complaints “seek immediate and specific action to address increasing discrimination against and harassment of Jews in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964,” a statement from the human rights nonprofit read.
Earlier this month, two dozen members of Congress sent her a letter condemning the university’s alleged lack of a prompt and unequivocal condemnation of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack.
One UPenn student was caught on video tearing down posters of kidnapped Israelis. X / @StopAntisemitesOn Monday, several UPenn staffers received targeted, antisemitic emails threatening violence against members of the university’s Jewish community.
The emails allegedly “threatened violence” against Jewish members of the school, especially those working at Penn Hillel — a Jewish organization on campus — and Lauder College House, UPenn’s president revealed in a statement Monday.
“These messages also included hateful language, targeting the personal identities of the recipients,” Magill said.
“Threats of violence are not tolerated at Penn and will be met with swift and forceful action,” she added.
“The perniciousness of antisemitic acts on our campus is causing deep hurt and fear for our Jewish students, faculty, and staff and shaking their sense of safety and belonging at Penn. This is intolerable. I condemn personally these vicious and hateful antisemitic acts and words.”
The college’s public safety officers found no credible threat but have increased security around campus.
The university notified the FBI of the potential hate crime and is investigating the threats.
Authorities are working “urgently” with the FBI to ”identify the individual or individuals who are responsible for these hateful, threatening emails and to ensure they are apprehended and punished to the fullest extent of the law,” Magill said.
Meanwhile, a student believed to be from UPenn was filmed saying she felt “so empowered and happy” by the Oct. 7 terrorist attack by Hamas against Israel, which killed over 1,400 people.
The clip, circulating online and shared by US Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) of the Bronx, shows the back of the woman as she spoke at a pro-Palestinian rally, saying: “I remember feelings so empowered and happy, so confident that victory was near and so tangible.
“I want all of you to hold that feeling in your hearts. Never let go of it. Channel it through every action you take.”
The UPenn student posted in a clip shared by Rep. Ritchie Torres.
In the aftermath of the monstrous Hamas attack, UPenn’s leadership was criticized for taking too long to disavow the slaughter.
The Ivy League campus was also heavily criticized even before the Oct. 7 terror attack for holding a Palestine Writes literature festival, which included a number of speakers and invitees previously accused of making antisemitic statements.
Penn President Liz Magill commented on the vandalism.
“Last night, vile, antisemitic messages were projected onto several campus buildings, including on Penn Commons, Huntsman Hall, and Irvine Auditorium. Penn Police were notified and quickly responded, and a full investigation is currently underway. We will pursue this matter to the fullest extent and take swift action in accordance with our policies.
For generations, too many have masked antisemitism in hostile rhetoric. These reprehensible messages are an assault on our values and cause pain and fear for our Jewish community. Penn has a long and rich history of robust debate about complicated issues of the day. Projecting hateful messages on our campus is not debate, it is cowardice, and it has no place at Penn.”




