Members of Penn’s Jewish community expressed opposition to the pro-Palestinian encampment on College Green amid split student perspectives.
The Daily Pennsylvanian spoke with several Jewish students, including leaders of Penn Hillel, about their reactions to the encampment and what they hope to see from the University and its response moving forward. Some students expressed a desire for peaceful dialogue on both sides, while others expressed safety concerns and criticized specific actions or behaviors as the encampment continued through its second day.
A Hillel student leader, who was granted anonymity, told the DP that it was only a "matter of time" before an encampment began at Penn. Other pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses nationwide have taken the form of encampments on central lawns, with some resulting in student arrests.
“I hope that the situation doesn't escalate and we don't see the kind of violence … that we've seen at other campuses," the student said.
They called for people to “see the humanity” in those around them, “even if people say really hateful, disgusting things.”
College senior and Penn Chavurah member Jack Starobin called the encampment “one of the most uplifting spaces for justice” for Palestinians and Jewish people, who he feels “have been silenced for staying true to their values.” At the same time, some students expressed concerns over the safety and security of Jewish students given the protests on campus.
Penn Hillel Vice President of Israel Engagement and Wharton junior Sadie Waldbaum wrote in a statement to the DP that seeing an encampment appear on Penn’s campus is “concerning.”
“I fear an environment where Jewish students feel unsafe going to class, as we have already seen at other schools,” she wrote.
College junior Joseph Hochberg, who said he went to the encampment with a friend shortly after midnight on Friday, told the DP that he was “extremely disturbed” by what he saw — which included observations of chalking around the encampment.
“They wrote things like ‘[the International Holocaust Remembrance Association] Lies’ … so there was Holocaust denial in their camp,” he said.
The DP could not confirm that the person who did the chalking was a member of the encampment. Hochberg, who said he spoke with some of the protesters, noted that they “ended up agreeing that any future peace agreement” will only come from dialogue.
Hochberg also mentioned an instance of individuals across Locust Walk "celebrating" video footage shown by counterprotesters during a Friday night screening of clips of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. Hochberg said that three to four women standing across from the screening said “I love it, the highlights,” in response to the video.
The DP was unable to confirm the details of the incident or the exact remark.
"USC [The University of Southern California] recently cancelled their graduation ceremony due to disruptive behaviors similar to what we are seeing here," College senior Eyal Yakoby wrote in a statement. "If you are a student who wants to attend classes without being overwhelmed by mobs, or if you are concerned about the possibility of our graduation being cancelled, you should recognize how these violent protests are fundamentally opposed to Penn’s primary mission of education."
Students also shared their perspectives on whether Penn should take any disciplinary action against the protesters.
Interim Penn President Larry Jameson has sent multiple emails to the Penn community in response to the ongoing encampment, including one on Friday evening stating that the encampment violates University policy. He warned that there have been “credible reports of harassing and intimidating conduct."
“I want to see that all protesters and people encamping will be held to the highest extent of all University policies,” Hochberg told the DP. “They are saying [in chants that] they do not want [Jewish people] in that part of the world. I would really like to see the University take action to stop these chants.”
A Hillel board member, who was granted anonymity, told the DP that “when antisemitic rhetoric occurs, or if any hostility begins to start, I would like to see [the University] really crack down and make sure that students are protected first.”
Starobin disagreed, calling Jameson’s email “desperate and out of touch” and saying that it showed administrators’ lack of understanding of what the encampment is, how it is run, and how it is received.
“On college campuses across the country, we've seen University administrations crack down with real violence against nonviolent students and, you know, that's alarming,” he said, adding that Penn administrators “have a responsibility” to let the encampment continue.
“If … the encampment gets shut down … it's a dereliction of their responsibility and their commitment to the kinds of campus culture that we should be fostering,” he said.
As the encampment moves into its third day, the Jewish community at Penn is looking ahead to the end of the semester — while also planning actions of its own in support of Israel.
“I do expect that there will be a large organization of Jewish students and also non-Jewish students who support our cause in the coming days and weeks,” Hochberg told the DP.
Earlier on Friday, Penn’s Muslim Students Association’s proposed referendum on divestment from Israel was approved for a student body ballot vote by Penn’s student government.
The referendum calls on the University to divest from companies and organizations that support Israel, disclose investments held through its endowment fund, and cut ties with Ghost Robotics, which is housed within Pennovation Works. According to an MSA Instagram post, voting is open until May 1 — one day after the end of Passover.
In response, the Penn Israel Public Affairs Committee has created a petition for its own referendum and is currently seeking signatures to present it to the Nominations and Elections Committee for verification.
College sophomore Morris Hakim expressed concern about the majority of the voting period taking place during Passover.
“If Penn student [government] wants a free and fair referendum, as I’m sure all Penn students do, they need to allow more time for Jewish students to vote after Passover,” he wrote in a statement to the DP.
In an email to parents on Friday evening, Penn Hillel Executive Director Rabbi Gabe Greenberg said that the referendum and the encampment “have triggered feelings of instability and anxiety” in students.
“We urge Penn to move swiftly in ensuring that all students can feel safe, welcome, and secure on Penn’s campus,” he wrote, noting that increased security measures would be in place for Shabbat dinner.
Earlier on Friday, Anti-Defamation League Philadelphia Regional Director Andrew Goretsky wrote in a statement to the DP that he spoke with students from both Penn and Temple University on Friday, and that the activities on Penn’s campus “are not peaceful protests,” citing accounts of antisemitism he has heard.
“These protests harass and intimidate students and interfere with the operations of the university — depriving students of their education,” Goretsky wrote. “The Universities must take action.”
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