Dr. David J. Skorton
President
Cornell University

Dear President Skorton:

My organization, “JewHatredonCampus.org,” has published a list of the 10 Most Anti-Semitic college campuses, which includes Cornell University. Our list has been published on websites that reach more than 100 million viewers.

The specific events meriting the inclusion of Cornell on this list include:

• The introduction in student government of a resolution to Boycott, Divest from and Sanction Israel (BDS). The BDS movement is an anti-Semitic campaign – described as such by former Harvard president Larry Summers - whose purpose is to destroy the Jewish state.

• The verbal and physical harassment of peaceful pro-Israel protestors at Cornell including such taunts as “F—k you Zionist scum” and “I swear to God I will f--king slap you.” One student had a sign torn out of his hands and water thrown on him. The pro-Israel signs of other students were smeared with ketchup.

• The organization by Students for Justice in Palestine of a mock Israeli checkpoint at Ho Plaza, a central student gathering point on campus, to harass students with anti-Israel propaganda as they attempt to move about campus.

• The placement by SJP of dozens of signs containing anti-Israel propaganda including false information and statistics around campus.

• The disruption and takeover of a student government meeting by members of an “Ad Hoc Assembly” consisting of members of Students for Justice in Palestine and other students who were upset about the tabling of a resolution to boycott and divest from Israel.

These activities violate Cornell University’s policy on the “Principle of Freedom with Responsibility” which states that:

The principle of freedom with responsibility is central to Cornell University. Freedoms to teach and to learn, to express oneself and to be heard, and to assemble and to protest peacefully and lawfully are essential to academic freedom and the continuing function of the University as an educational institution. Responsible enjoyment and exercise of these rights mean respect for the rights of all. Infringement upon the rights of others or interference with the peaceful and lawful use and enjoyment of University premises, facilities, and programs violates this principle.

Additionally, Cornell’s policy on “Bias Incidents” states that:

Under Cornell’s specific definition, a bias incident is an act of bigotry, harassment, or intimidation that occurs on the Cornell campus or within an area that impacts the Cornell community and that one could reasonably conclude is directed at a member or a group of the Cornell community because of that individual’s or group’s actual or perceived age, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or any combination of these or related factors.

References: https://www.dfa.cornell.edu/cms/treasurer/policyoffice/policies/volumes/g... https://www.hr.cornell.edu/diversity/reporting/bias_response.html

Evidently, in the eyes of the Cornell administration, Jewish students are not protected under these policies. This is the primary reason for Cornell’s inclusion in the list of 10 Most Anti-Semitic campuses, and one we would like you to remedy.

These actions, which have been led by Students for Justice in Palestine on your campus, violate Cornell’s anti-discrimination policy and create a hostile environment for Jewish and pro-Israel students on your campus. Why is Students for Justice in Palestine receiving funding and other campus privileges from Cornell University, when its very purpose violates Cornell policy?

As an organization dedicated to combating campus anti-Semitism, we offer our assistance in rectifying this disturbing situation on your campus and ensuring that Jewish students at Cornell University can live and study in an environment free from fear and harassment.

We would recommend that your first step be to conduct an immediate inquiry into whether the organization Students for Justice in Palestine, which is responsible for these actions, is violating your “Principle of Freedom with Responsibility” and “Bias Incidents” policies. If you conclude this is the case, then you should remove their campus privileges and funding. This will send a strong message that harassment and intimidation of any minority, including Jews, will not be tolerated at Cornell.

Please contact me at the address below to let me know your plan of action, or if there is any way we can assist you to ensure that Cornell once again becomes a safe and welcoming environment for Jewish students.

Respectfully,
David Horowitz
www.jewhatredoncampus.org

CC: Robert S. Harrison, David D. Croll, Andrew H. Tisch, Jan Rock Zubrow,
Barbara A. Baird, Richard A. Baker, Matthew L. Biben, Jessica M. Bibliowicz, Richard L. Booth, Douglas L. Braunstein, Mario Cilento, Ezra Cornell, Gary S. Davis, Nicole B. DelToro, Elizabeth C. Everett, David R. Fischell, Gregory J. Galvin, Ross H. Gitlin, Rana Glasgal, Patricia E. Harris, Kraig H. Kayser, Ruben J. King-Shaw, Peggy J. Koenig, Robert S. Langer, Jr., Linda R. Macaulay, Lowell C. McAdam, William H. McAleer, Ronald D. McCray, John F. Megrue, Howard P. Milstein, Alan L. Mittman, John A. Noble, Peter J. Nolan, Barbara Goldman Novick, Annie O'Toole, Lubna Suliman Olayan, Armando J. Olivera, Donald C. Opatrny, William D. Perez, Leland C. Pillsbury, Bruce S. Raynor, Gene D. Resnick, Susan T. Rodriguez, Meredith A. Rosenberg, Paul A. Salvatore, Martin F. Scheinman, Dalia P. Stiller, Chiaki Tanuma, Ratan N. Tata, Lisa Skeete Tatum, Michael A. Troy, Sheryl Hilliard Tucker, M. Eileen McManus Walker, Padmasree Y. Warrior, Laura A. Wilkinson, Barton J. Winokur, Mariana F. Wolfner, Craig Yunker, Michael J. Zak, Karen P. Zimmer