A Response to UNC’s Statement on Confronting Antisemitism

The Jewish Federation of Raleigh-Cary thanks Chancellor Kevin M. Guskiewicz for his public statement “confronting antisemitism” at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and appreciate his clear message that antisemitism “has no place on our campus.”

We are hopeful that the statement as well as the plans outlined in Chancellor Guskiewicz’s statement, such as partnering with North Carolina Hillel to participate in Hillel International’s Campus Climate Initiative, represent a good step in the right direction for the university administration leading to greater understanding and a better climate for Jewish students on campus.

While we recognize that there has been and continues to be discussions between academics and students on campus on the difference between anti-Zionism and antisemitism, it should not be lost that one of the examples of antisemitism cited by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) is: “Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor.”

The Jewish Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Council will continue to monitor UNC-CH’s response to antisemitic and anti-Zionist incidents that the university outlined in the Chancellor’s statement as well as in its Resolution Agreement in 2019 with the US Department of Education (OCR Complaint No. 11-19-2215).

The Jewish Federation of Raleigh-Cary thanks our volunteer leaders, our partner Federations across North Carolina, North Carolina Hillel, Voice for Israel, and others who worked to encourage the chancellor to take a public stand against antisemitism and take steps to ensure all students feel welcome and safe on campus.

If you are a UNC student, faculty, or staff member who has witnessed an antisemitic incident, please contact the Jewish Federation’s JCRC by filling out this form. We are here to advocate on your behalf.