Melinda Roth, George Washington University

After viewing the encampment where I teach, I went back to my office and quickly wrote a “Letter to the Protestors.”  I posted it on my own social media for my friends and family and had no idea it would go viral.  It launched a whirlwind media tour with television appearances for me, where I warned viewers about the hatred against not only Jews but also America and the unholy alliance between the Jihadists and the Marxists.  I originally ended my thoughts directed towards these campus protestors, “You are not on the right side of history like you think you will be.  No one with hate in their heart ever is.”  

I really hate to say I told you so, but, well, things have gone not from bad to worse but from worse to worse.  What happened on October 7th and what happened since is unfathomable to me.  We are not only waging a war against Hamas, but now we are waging a war against an enemy that is well financed and well organized.  This enemy has been waiting for this moment for years to help enlist others to their inaccurate narrative accusing Israel of genocide, of Israel being an apartheid state and of Zionist, Israeli and Jewish hatred.  And hatred of America too.  When the Ayatollah, the Supreme Ruler of the Islamic Republic of Iran, thanks the American college protestors, it should be clear who is on the right side.  

A year later, some universities have enacted policies which claim “institution neutrality” as well as new policies on student conduct, masking, tents etc. But the other side continues to press to “globalize the intifada” and “resist by any means necessary.”  They are not going away.  Antisemitism is continuing to spread, now with episodes of attacks and violence on campuses.   

There are lawsuits.  There are grass root campaigns to write letters to politicians, university officials, employers, etc.  There are donors pulling their money from their alma maters.  Maybe these efforts will move the needle slightly, but much more is needed.  

Our educational system has been infiltrated and students are being indoctrinated with concepts like Israel is a white colonizer and committing genocide.  Professors are using their classrooms to push their own political platforms.  We have stopped teaching students to think critically.  

How do we reclaim our campuses?  How do we win back the narrative and put an end to jew hatred?  How can we have hope in these darkest of days when innocent hostages are still held and executed, including American citizens?  

The Israeli national anthem, Hatikvah, means the hope.  We chant “Am Yisrael Chai” to the protestors, because we deeply believe the People of Israel Live.  We are not a culture that celebrates murder and martyrdom like the other side; we are a people who celebrate living a life of meaning and making mitzvahs.  We are more united then ever across the globe, and not without some (even if not enough) allies.  We must continue to fight intolerance of any kind, including of course antisemitism.  And we must hold onto hope as we are on the right side of history as we have love in our hearts.