Two Jewish students at DePaul University in Chicago were attacked on Wednesday, Nov. 6, while openly expressing support for Israel.
The University’s president, Robert L. Manuel, released a statement detailing the incident that involved the two male students.
The statement indicated the attack occurred around 3:20 p.m. in front of the Student Center on the Lincoln Park campus. Both students, who are in their 20s, were assaulted by masked individuals.
According to CNN, one of the students was struck in the face and the body, while the other was pushed to the ground before both masked attackers fled the scene.
University responds to attacks on Jewish students
The University’s statement notes that despite sustaining physical injuries, both students declined medical treatment.
In the statement, President Manuel expressed his “outrage” over the incident on campus. He stated, “It is completely unacceptable and a violation of DePaul’s values to uphold and care for the dignity of every individual.”
President Manuel added that the University is “actively” working with the Chicago Police Department to investigate the event and determine if it should be classified as a hate crime based on the students identifying as Jewish.
CNN reports the local authorities have released images to the public of the alleged assailants and are treating the case as a “battery/hate crime,” due to reports claiming one of the offenders reportedly made antisemitic remarks before striking the victim.
Outrage over Gaza war sparks antisemitic, anti-Arab reactions
Incidents like these have been on the rise amidst escalating tensions related to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. According to CNN, the Anti-Defamation League reports threats against Jews in the U.S. alone have tripled following the Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas, when up to 1,200 Israelis were killed and over 200 taken hostage.
Since then, Israel has killed over 43,000 Palestinians in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
Confrontations between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups outside of the U.S. have also continued to escalate. Shortly after the student attack at DePaul, Daily Mail shared social media video footage of Israeli football fans terrorizing the streets of Amsterdam.
The videos show mobs of fans dressed in black tearing down Palestine flags while chanting f*** you Palestine’ and ‘ole’ before the Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax soccer match.
The video also showed the overzealous fans “thumping” taxis with crowbars and verbally assaulting drivers and city residents.
The tension was more than just a simple sports rival. Police presence was ramped up following the match due to the anticipation of protests (despite city bans in the arena areas) and possible violence stemming from demonstrations. Following the 5-0 Ajax win, Pro-Palestinian demonstrators attempted to incite conflict with Israeli fans.
The NY Times reports Tel Aviv fans reported claims of masked “hit and runs,” and other assaults that appeared to specifically seem to target “those identified as Israeli or Jewish.”
The outlet added the Amsterdam police deployed 800 police officers, including mounted authorities and K-9s.
As of Friday, Nov. 8. Amsterdam police reported five people were injured and 63 arrests made before the soccer match.
Related Stories
- Community Invited to Post-Election Mental Health Support Digital Event
- Ta-Nehisi Coates Exposes Media Bias in Reporting on Palestine
- Alleged hate crime victim was actually aggressor, Norman PD says
“The right to defend “ after attack is recognized as legal. But, after the revenge kill reaches 50 thousand, starvation, thirst , annihilation, and non-stop war , that is not self-defense. The USA supports this. The world is hurting. World pain is expressed Thru the methods mentioned.