Mayor Eric Adams Addresses Campus Antisemitism in Meeting with Jewish Students

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, alongside U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres (D-NY), met with Jewish college students on Monday to tackle the growing issue of campus antisemitism in the city’s universities. Held at New York City Hall, the roundtable discussion featured students from the City University of New York (CUNY) and other colleges in the area, who voiced concerns over administrators’ alleged failure to address discrimination when it comes to antisemitic, anti-Zionist acts.

In recent months, New York colleges have seen a disturbing rise in pro-Hamas rhetoric, hate speech, and physical harassment targeting Jewish students. At the meeting, students explained that the situation must be viewed as a civil rights issue, requiring decisive action to protect them from hostility masked as political dissent.

Mayor Adams condemned the activities of pro-Hamas students but acknowledged the limits imposed by free speech protections. “Whatever the law allows me to do, I’m going to do to ensure New Yorkers are safe,” Adams told the students. He noted that, while certain hate-filled expressions might be protected, violent and discriminatory behavior on taxpayer-funded campuses should not be tolerated.

The mayor also praised the students for refusing to remain silent in the face of growing hostility. “I take my hat off to you because you have not decided to remain silent... you need to continue to lift your voices,” he encouraged them, stressing the importance of building alliances to counter misinformation and hatred on campuses.

Rep. Ritchie Torres, who has gained bipartisan praise for his outspoken stance against antisemitism, also spoke at the meeting. He pointed out that targeting Jewish institutions like Hillel simply for being Jewish constitutes clear antisemitism. Torres urged universities to address anti-Zionist harassment with the same seriousness as any other form of racial or ethnic discrimination.

Students shared personal stories of harassment, such as vandalism of Jewish event flyers, online abuse, and intimidation on campus. Some described a climate of fear fostered by groups like Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), which has openly supported terrorist organizations, further heightening tensions.

CUNY, in particular, has been a hotbed of controversy, facing multiple allegations of antisemitism, including incidents where Jewish students were pressured to disavow their heritage. Professor Azriel Gunack of Queens College emphasized the need for stronger leadership from the CUNY administration to address these issues and create a safer environment for Jewish students.

The meeting highlighted the urgent need for universities to take concrete steps to protect Jewish students and uphold policies that prevent discrimination. Mayor Adams and Rep. Torres vowed to continue their support, urging educational institutions to ensure campuses remain places of learning, not hate.

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