The University of Rochester campus has recently been the site of a disturbing incident involving hundreds of “wanted” posters targeting Jewish faculty members, including senior university leaders and members of the Board of Trustees.
The posters, found across campus in various buildings and classrooms, said the individuals were “wanted” for “war crimes,” in reference to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict that began when Hamas terrorists attacked Israel last year. Some posters contained accusations such as promoting “ethnic cleansing” and supporting the “displacement of Palestinians,” according to USA Today.
In response to the incident, the university’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) issued a statement on Wednesday, noting that it believes all such posters have been removed but urging anyone who finds additional posters to notify them immediately. DPS Chief Quchee Collins confirmed that “several persons of interest” have been identified. These individuals include current students, those with unclear enrollment status, and other individuals.
“Any activities, including the placement of these posters, that disrupt our normal operations and classroom instruction will not be tolerated,” Collins said. “Additionally, it seems that the goal of this vandalism is to intimidate members of our University community, which is an action that runs counter to our Meliora values.”
University President Sarah Mangelsdorf condemned the incident as antisemitic, declaring in a statement that the university “strongly denounces the recent display of ‘wanted’ posters targeting senior university leaders and members of our faculty, staff, and Board of Trustees.” She described the posters as “disturbing, divisive, and intimidating,” affirming that they violate the university’s core values.
The incident is yet another in the wave of antisemitism that has flooded college campuses since Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. College campuses have continued to see a number or pro-Palestinian protests that have eventually turned into acts of hate and blatant antisemitism.
