A University of Delaware student, Jenna Kandeel, faces hate crime charges after allegedly going on an antisemitic tirade, screaming “f— Jews,” and destroying a symbolic memorial on campus. The memorial consisted of color-coded flags, each representing 10,000 people from different groups who lost their lives during the Holocaust. Kandeel reportedly spit on and destroyed the memorial’s flags and shouted vulgar profanities, including “Jewish people are nasty. Free Palestine.” Witnesses reported her saying, “The Holocaust should have happened. Free Palestine.” She is charged with three misdemeanors – hate crime, criminal mischief, and disorderly conduct.
Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings emphasized the importance of distinguishing between political dissent and hate speech. She expressed concern about the increasing antisemitic climate and the ignorance displayed by incidents like this, highlighting that the Holocaust is not ancient history and its lessons are still relevant today. The university condemned the incident, stating that such abhorrent behavior has no place on the campus. The university leadership emphasized the importance of addressing acts of discrimination, racism, violence, or destructive behavior that threaten the well-being of the community.
The memorial on campus consists of rows of 1,100 flags, each representing 10,000 people who died during the Holocaust. The different colors signify various targeted groups, including Jews, Soviet POWs, and non-Jewish Polish citizens. With the rise of antisemitic incidents on college campuses, the arrest of Kandeel is just one example of anti-Israel demonstrations crossing the line into criminality. The Anti-Defamation League reported a significant increase in antisemitic attacks following a Hamas terrorist attack on Israel in 2023, with a record-high 8,873 incidents of antisemitism across the U.S.
College campuses have seen a surge in antisemitic incidents, with a 321% increase in occurrences on campus from 2022. Jennings emphasized the need to recognize and address this alarming trend, stressing that there is still work to be done to combat antisemitism and educate about the Holocaust. The incident involving Kandeel serves as a wake-up call about the persistence of antisemitism and the importance of promoting respect and civility within the community. While the U.S. has a history of protecting free speech, it is crucial to draw a clear line between political dissent and hate speech.
The university community, including students and leadership, has expressed pride in maintaining respect and civility even amidst differences of opinion. However, acts of discrimination, racism, violence, or destructive behavior that threaten the well-being of the community will be addressed immediately. The arrest of Kandeel and the subsequent charges demonstrate a firm stance against antisemitism and hate speech on campus. The university is committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment where all members of the community feel respected and valued.
