Pro-Palestinian Harassment: Where Are The Public Officials?

The Zionist Organization of America is demanding action from City University of New York officials in the wake of reports of harassment of Jewish students by pro-Palestinian activists on several CUNY campuses.

We join in the ZOA’s call for CUNY Chancellor James Milliken to mount a full investigation of the claims. And we call on New York elected officials to get behind the effort. The near-total official silence is particularly irksome in light of the super sensitivity that typically follows accusations of negative actions – even unintended slights – toward Muslims in New York.

It is especially troublesome that political and religious intimidation would occur in what should be citadels of the free and unfettered exchange of ideas. That Jewish students are being targeted at the whim of thugs who act with impunity is wholly unacceptable.

We urge readers to contact officials and ask them to support an investigation. A partial listing follows:

Governor Andrew Cuomo: (518) 474-8390 (Jim Malatras, the governor’s director of state operations: 518-486-9871)

Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan (AD 37), chairwoman NYS Education Committee: (518) 455-4851

Assemblywoman Deborah J. Glick (AD 66), chairwoman NYS Higher Education Committee: (518) 455-4841

Mayor Bill de Blasio: 212-New-York

NYC Council Member Mark Levine: (212) 928-6814. (He has already committed to engage on the issue.)

U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer: (202) 224-6542; (212) 486-4430

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand: (202) 224-4451; (212) 688-6262

Congresswoman Yvette Clark: (202) 225-6231

Congressman Dan Donovan: (202) 225-3371; 718-630-5277 ;718-351-1062

Congressman Hakeem Jeffries: (202) 225-5936; (718) 373-0033

Congressman Jerrold Nadler: (202) 225-5635; (212) 367-7350; (718)373-3198