Police are investigating antisemitic threats made against the Jewish community of Cornell University in Ithaca New York. However, university officials did not disclose any of the threats reported to them.
The investigations came after Jewish students, faculty, and staff, as well as the Cornell Hillel, the university's kosher and multicultural dining hall, have been targeted by antisemitic threats and hate speech online by pro-Palestine users over the weekend.
Cornell President Calls Antisemitic Threats 'Horrendous'
University president Martha Pollack also issued a statement calling the antisemitic threats "horrendous."
"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," the statement added. "Our immediate focus is on keeping the community safe; we will continue to prioritize that."
She confirmed the threats were posted on a discussion board on Sunday (October 29).
School officials also called in law enforcement units, including the FBI, to investigate the content of the posts, which appeared to be instigated by the Israel-Hamas War, as per CBS News.
The disgusting & hateful posts on a message board about Jewish @Cornell students is the latest in a series of concerning incidents on college campuses. While it is unclear if these are credible threats, @nyspolice is engaged & we’ll take any steps needed to keep students safe.
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) October 30, 2023
Meanwhile, New York Governor Kathy Hochul posted a message on social media calling the antisemitic posts "disgusting and hateful."
"While it is unclear if these are credible threats, [the New York State Police] is engaged [and] we'll take any steps needed to keep students safe," she added.
New York Attorney General Letitia James also called the slurs "absolutely horrific."
"There is no space for antisemitism or violence of any kind," she said. "Campuses must remain safe spaces for our students."
