A Statement From U.S. Jews Opposing Trump’s Attacks On Colleges And Students

We write, specifically, as Jewish Americans who condemn the charge of antisemitism being leveled against student activists—many of whom are Jewish—for their legitimate criticisms of Israel’s violence in Gaza and their universities’ connections to the Israeli occupation.

By American Jews Opposing Deportations, The Nation

As the new academic year begins, more than 100 prominent Jewish Americans have signed a statement released today voicing strong opposition to the Trump administration’s policy of “disingenuously” using accusations of antisemitism to facilitate attacks on colleges and the detention and deportation of campus activists.

“We write, specifically, as Jewish Americans who condemn the charge of antisemitism being leveled against student activists—many of whom are Jewish—for their legitimate criticisms of Israel’s violence in Gaza and their universities’ connections to the Israeli occupation,” the statement says.

The diverse list of signers includes Jewish activists, authors, academics, rabbis, artists and attorneys, as well as Jewish leaders of progressive organizations.

One of the signatories is Nation columnist Dave Zirin. He writes: ”I proudly signed this letter out of respect for my great-grandparents who fled the pogroms. They never, ever would have believed that human rights atrocities would keep us safe, but instead that safety lies in justice followed by peace: justice and peace for us, for Palestinians, for all. They certainly would have been appalled that anyone would take seriously that an administration of Nazi-curious Christian Zionists would have our best interests at heart. I am proud to carry that outrage forward and say that the political grandchildren of the fascists of old must never be allowed to weaponize our history or pain. And it must be said that this condemnation extends to AIPAC and the JDL. That they would support, cover for, and excuse these antisemites is a mark of shame they will carry in perpetuity. Not in our name. Hell no.”

The full statement follows.

We, the undersigned, stand in opposition to the Trump administration’s targeting of college students and professors whose only “crimes” are exercising their First Amendment rights.

We write, specifically, as Jewish Americans who condemn the charge of antisemitism being leveled against student activists—many of whom are Jewish—for their legitimate criticisms of Israel’s violence in Gaza and their universities’ connections to the Israeli occupation. That this accusation is being used as a pretext to abrogate students’ rights to free speech, and to deport non-citizen students, should raise the highest level of alarm.