Antisemitism Watchdog Groups Unhappy With Schapiro's Response to Graffiti

Twenty-three antisemitism watchdog groups expressed concern with the recent swastikas found in the Northwestern University library as well as the response of University President Morton Schapiro in a letter addressed to him Tuesday.

The letter, signed by the AMCHA Initiative, Israeli-American Council (IAC), Americans for Peace and Tolerance and the Simon Wiesenthal Center among others, reported members of all organizations included were “troubled” by the reports of two separate incidents of anti semitic graffiti and showed concern for the safety of Jewish students at the University.

On Saturday, April 11 a swastika was drawn on a wall of the men’s bathroom in the school library and four days later a large swastika was found on the wall of a study lounge in the library.

READ MORE: Anti-Semitic Graffiti Found at Northwestern Library

A statement released condemning the racist act made by Schapiro last week was not clear enough in publicly acknowledging “that a swastika is an anti semitic symbol associated with genocide perpetrated against the Jewish people,” and that although it affects the entire campus community, “it particularly targets NU’s Jewish members for hatred and discrimination,” according to the letter.

“Campus anti semitism is a serious and growing problem,” it continued. “A recent study published by Trinity College and the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law reveals that 54% of Jewish American college and university students report experiencing or witnessing antisemitism on campus in the recent school year. The research reveals that this is a much more widespread problem than most realized.”

ALSO RELATED ON PATCH: Jews, African-Americans Targeted in Northwestern Graffiti Incident

The groups requested Schapiro take further steps to show his commitment that the school’s Jewish students are protected. Among the recommendations are to “publicly commit to educating University staff, including campus police, in identifying antisemitism and anti semitic hate crimes,” “swiftly, forcefully and publicly acknowledge that swastika graffiti is an act of antisemitism and will not be tolerated on campus” and “allocate resources and publicly commit to educating students about antisemitism and anti-Jewish discrimination.”

Groups who signed the letter were: Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity (AEPi), AMCHA Initiative, American Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists, Americans for Peace and Tolerance, BEAR: Bias Education, Advocacy & Resources, Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America (CAMERA), Endowment for Middle East Truth (EMET), Hasbarah Fellowships, Institute for Black Solidarity with Israel, Iranian American Jewish Federation, Israeli-American Council (IAC), National Conference on Jewish Affairs, Middle East Political and Information Network (MEPIN), Proclaiming Justice to the Nations, Scholars for Peace in the Middle East , Simon Wiesenthal Center, StandWithUs, Students and Parents Against Campus Anti-Semitism, The Israel Group, The Lawfare Project, Training and Education About the Middle East (T.E.A.M.) and Zionist Organization of America.