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Alan Dershowitz Draws Parallels Between Campus Anti-Semitism & Early Nazi Germany
Edited by: Fern Sidman
In a recent interview, former Harvard University professor and renowned constitutional lawyer Alan Dershowitz expressed grave concerns about the rising tide of anti-Semitism and anti-Israel sentiments on college campuses across the United States, according to a report that appeared on Sunday in The New York Post. Speaking on 77 WABC’s “Cats Roundtable” radio show, Dershowitz drew a chilling comparison between current campus protests that are directed against Israel and the early days of Nazi Germany in the 1930s, the report added. He warned of the potential long-term implications for American society.
“This is much like what happened in Germany in the early 1930s, when Nazi students blocked Jews from entering universities,” Dershowitz remarked, as was reported by The Post. He called attention to the alarming nature of these parallels, suggesting that the current climate on campuses could be a precursor to more severe consequences that are reminiscent of the atrocities of the 1940s.
Dershowitz’s comments were prompted by recent events at Harvard University’s graduation, where students staged a walkout and donned attire supportive of Hamas, a Iranian-backed terrorist organization that was responsible for the October 7th massacre in Israel which left 1200 Israeli and others murdered and 250 others taken into captivity in Gaza, the Post report said. The United States and other countries have officially designated Hamas as a terror organization. These actions, according to Dershowitz, signify a disturbing trend among young Americans who may one day hold influential positions in society.
“What worries me is 10, 15 years from now, these Hitler Youth will be members of Congress, will be on the editorial board of the New York Times, will be owning media stations,” Dershowitz warned. According to the information provided in The Post report, he expressed his fear that these future leaders might replace the constitutional stability of the United States with what he described as “radical progressive anti-American craziness.”
As a long-standing critic of anti-Israel demonstrations on college campuses, Dershowitz has consistently voiced his concern over the increasing acceptance of anti-Semitic rhetoric in academic institutions, the report in The Post said. To combat this, he announced his intention to launch a new initiative titled “Hurt a Jew, we sue you,” aimed at legally challenging acts of anti-Semitism.
Dershowitz’s initiative reflects his broader commitment to defending civil rights and combating discrimination. His proposed organization would likely serve as a legal recourse for victims of anti-Semitic incidents, reinforcing the importance of accountability and justice in curbing hate speech and violence.
The comparison to Nazi Germany is intended to emphasize the severity of the issue. By invoking the historical context of the 1930s, Dershowitz aims to highlight the dangers of allowing such ideologies to proliferate unchecked. His comments call for a more vigilant approach to addressing anti-Semitism while ensuring that universities remain bastions of diversity and inclusion rather than breeding grounds for hatred.
Dershowitz’s remarks also included a broader condemnation of campus agitators as well as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. The Felix Frankfurter professor of law also spoke of the dangers presented by such individuals as James Carlson, a known anarchist and leader in the violent Columbia University protests, the Post report said.
James Carlson, also known by aliases Cody Carlson and Cody Tarlow, has been identified by police sources as a wealthy professional agitator. Carlson, who reportedly owns a multimillion-dollar home in Brooklyn, was implicated in the violent demonstrations at Columbia University, according to the information contained in The Post report. Dershowitz emphasized the need for legal repercussions for agitators such as Carlson, who are undermining societal order.
“It applies beyond Jews: The two janitors who were held captive, kidnapped by wealthy Columbia graduates and outsiders — like the kid who owns a $2 or $3 million home in Brooklyn — they should be sued and held responsible for what they’re doing,” Dershowitz asserted, during his interview on 77 WABC’s “Cats Roundtable” radio show, according to The Post report. His call for accountability highlights the broader impact of such actions on innocent bystanders and the importance of upholding the rule of law.
Dershowitz’s critique extended to the current state of higher education, specifically targeting DEI programs. He argued that these initiatives, which aim to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, are fundamentally flawed and counterproductive. The Post reported that according to Dershowitz, DEI programs represent a form of affirmative action that undermines meritocracy and intellectual progress.
“DEI — diversity, equity and inclusion — is anti-Semitic to its core and anti-intellectual and anti-progress and anti-meritocracy. The big enemy of the hard left today is meritocracy,” he stated on the radio program, as was noted in the Post report. Dershowitz’s condemnation reflects a broader debate over the role and impact of DEI initiatives in academia. Critics argue that such programs prioritize identity over qualifications and merit, potentially leading to lower standards and increased division.
Recent developments at prestigious institutions call attention to this contentious issue. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) recently scrapped its DEI program, a move that reflects growing opposition to such initiatives. Similarly, there is an ongoing push at Cornell University to abandon its DEI program, as reported by The Post last week.
Dershowitz’s comments also resonate with a wider concern about the direction of higher education in the United States. He warned that colleges and universities are “going to hell” by imposing DEI programs and de-emphasizing merit in their hiring practices and policies, as per the report in The Post. His perspective aligns with those who believe that academia should focus on merit and excellence rather than social engineering.
The former professor’s outspoken stance against DEI programs and campus agitators is part of his broader advocacy for protecting free speech and combating anti-Semitism.
As the debate over free speech and hate speech continues to evolve on college campuses, Dershowitz’s remarks serve as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of inaction. The rise of anti-Semitism on campus is not just a concern for the Jewish community but poses a broader threat to the principles of tolerance and respect that underpin American democracy.
