By: Hal C Clarke

New York Governor Kathy Hochul made a strong statement during her visit to Cornell University, denouncing threats against the Jewish community and condemning comments made by a professor in support of Hamas’ terrorist actions, NY Post pointed out.

In a public address at the university, Governor Hochul called for criminal charges to be brought against individuals who made online threats against Jewish students, emphasizing that such behavior would not be tolerated. She also expressed her deep disapproval of Professor Russell Rickford’s comments, who had referred to Hamas’ actions as “energizing.”

Speaking at the Ithaca school, Governor Hochul stressed that antisemitism has no place within the academic environment. She acknowledged the importance of free speech but made it clear that when speech turns into hate speech or hate crimes, it becomes imperative to protect students.

Hochul’s remarks included a commitment to prosecute those responsible for threats and ensuring the safety of Jewish students on campus. She warned that individuals engaged in harmful actions, hate crimes, or the violation of laws would be caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent.

She reassured Jewish students that they would not be left without support, and that the state of New York would stand with them. Hochul also pledged to provide resources to enhance security, such as the installation of more security cameras at the Jewish living center on campus.

Although Governor Hochul did not explicitly mention Professor Russell Rickford during her visit to Cornell, she later clarified her position when questioned by the media. She unequivocally condemned his remarks, emphasizing her deep concern about the hate messages at the university.

The hateful messages, some of which directly threatened Jewish students, are currently under investigation by Cornell University Police, who have also informed the FBI, considering the incident may constitute a hate crime.

One anonymous post on a Greek life website mentioned targeting a kosher dining hall, leading to a lockdown on campus.

Similar incidents of hate messages and threats against Jewish students have been reported not only at Cornell but also at various other higher education institutions across the state and the nation.

Reports from the Cornell Daily Sun, a student-run newspaper, highlight the severity of these threats. Some students have opted to spend nights away from their usual accommodations due to the concerns raised by these threats.

Matan Auerbach, a Jewish student at Cornell, shared his experience and praised the university’s response. He described how students reacted to the threats and mentioned the university’s increased security measures, which gave him confidence in the institution’s commitment to ensuring the safety of its students.

Governor Hochul’s visit and statements reflect a firm stance against antisemitism and a commitment to protect the rights and safety of all students, regardless of their background or beliefs.