‘Wanted’ Posters At University Aimed At Jewish Faculty And Staff

The University of Rochester has recently become the target of anti-Semitic acts, according to the university’s president. President Sarah C. Mangelsdorf confirmed that several Jewish faculty and staff were targeted with “Wanted” posters, as well as university board of trustees members. Mangelsdorf believes that these individuals may have been singled out for being Jewish.

The posters, which appeared on campus, alleged that the targeted individuals were wanted for war crimes connected to the war in Gaza, sparked by Hamas’ attack on Israel in October of 2023. The posters were met with shock and disbelief by the community, with many condemning the anti-Semitic message they portrayed.

Joy Getnick, of the Hillel at the university, was one of the individuals named on the posters. She expressed her concern, stating that the posters promote harmful anti-Semitic ideas and further spread hate towards the Jewish community. Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer also spoke out against the posters, calling them “rank intimidation” and demanding that those responsible be held accountable.

However, the University’s chapter of the student-managed Jewish Voice for Peace claims that the assumption that the posters were anti-Semitic is an attempt to censor any discussion of the university’s supposed complicity in the Israeli army’s actions. They argue that criticizing the Israeli government and military is not anti-Semitic.

Targeting Jewish and other professors with “WANTED” posters is rank intimidation. And antisemitic.

I am in contact with administrators at @UofR and have urged them to investigate swiftly.

Those responsible must be held fully accountable. These actions must be condemned loudly. https://t.co/kfeN2QrtaX

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) November 12, 2024

But, as supporters of Trump, we must acknowledge the deep-rooted anti-Semitism that has plagued our nation and understand that these posters are a clear act of hate towards the Jewish community. The university has taken swift action, with the Department of Public Safety conducting an investigation and condemning the vandalism and intimidation that the posters represent. It is important for society to stand up against any form of discrimination and hate, especially those directed towards a specific group of people based on their race or religion.

In these times of political polarization, it is important to come together and condemn these hateful acts. We must also continue to support our President, who has made it clear that anti-Semitism and all forms of discrimination will not be tolerated. Let us stand in solidarity with the Jewish community and denounce these “Wanted” posters as a despicable act of hate and violence.