Police are investigating a potential hate crime at Cornell University after a series of "horrendous, antisemitic" threats were made against the Jewish community. The threats, which were posted on the discussion board Greekrank under pseudonyms such as "hamas," "jew evil," and "jew jenocide," targeted Jewish students and the Center for Jewish Living. One post even called for students to follow Jewish students home and "slit their throats." The Cornell Sun, the student newspaper, reported that other posts said "jewish people need to be killed" and “israel” deserved 10/7," while another threatened to "shoot up" the university's kosher dining hall.

In response to the threats, Cornell University has placed the campus on high alert and notified law enforcement, including the FBI. The Cornell University Police Department issued a community alert for the entire city of Ithaca, stating that the targeted locations were intentionally selected because of the perpetrator's bias. Campus police are currently investigating the posts, and Cornell President Martha Pollack condemned the threats, stating that "threats of violence are absolutely intolerable." She assured the community that efforts are being made to ensure the safety of everyone on campus and that those responsible for the threats will be punished to the full extent of the law.

The Cornell Hillel, the University's Jewish Center, advised students and staff to avoid the building housing the kosher dining hall out of caution. They posted a statement on Instagram expressing their concern and emphasizing the need to combat antisemitism. New York Governor Kathy Hochul also condemned the posts, calling them “disgusting” and "hateful." She reassured students that the New York State Police will take any necessary steps to keep them safe.

This incident at Cornell University comes just days after the campus was defaced with antisemitic graffiti, including messages like "F*** Israel" and "Zionism = Racism." It also follows a controversial statement released by a group of 33 student organizations at Harvard University, accusing Israel of creating the impetus for the Israel-Hamas war. Similar tensions have erupted at other universities, such as the University of Pennsylvania, Yale, NYU, and Stanford, causing polarizing debates and calls for action.

The ongoing Israel-Hamas war appears to have instigated these threats and heightened tensions on college campuses. However, it is crucial to remember that the threats made against Jewish students are unacceptable and must be addressed promptly to ensure the safety and well-being of all students.