Misguided allegations of antisemitism at CWRU do not keep Jews or Palestinians safe [Video]

I grew up in a conservative Indiana town with barely any other Jewish students. My Jewish upbringing in this restrictive environment is a major part of my identity and advocacy.

This month, I’ve seen my faith shared between students of all religions with kindness. But Case Western Reserve University President Eric Kaler misrepresented my faith by saying the CWRU encampment fostered hate. Kaler is exploiting a longstanding misconception that calling for Palestinian liberation is antisemitic.

Equating with antisemitism students protesting what they see as Israel’s genocide erases a robust history of Jewish solidarity with Palestine. It ignores Jewish values that look after marginalized groups. Calling out genocide is part of our religious makeup.

As a Jewish student, I don’t feel a fraction of the aggression Palestinian students and students of color feel every day. I have found safety and community with students dedicated to intersectional justice.

My Jewish identity involves …