'Responsibility to ensure Jewish, Israeli students are safe,' says Ambassador Akunis

New York Consul-General Ofir Akunis met with professionals from Jewish organizations to address the growing threat of antisemitism on university campuses across the region.

The meeting at the Consulate General of Israel in New York on Thursday comes as students prepare to return for the upcoming academic year.

The discussion was prompted by a rise in antisemitic incidents on campuses during the last academic year. Akunis emphasized the urgency of addressing these threats before they have a chance to recur in the coming academic year.

“Antisemitic rhetoric, which often devolved into violence, reached a frightening peak last year,” said Akunis. “It is the responsibility of all of us, including university administrators and law enforcement authorities, to ensure that events posing physical threats to Jewish and Israeli students do not recur in the future.”

Akunis pledges the Consulate's support

Akunis assured the gathered campus professionals that “the consulate is at your disposal at all times and will do everything in its power to protect your fundamental rights, including the right to study safely and without disruptions to public order at the hands of terror-supporting groups and instigators,” he stated.

The meeting served as a preparatory session for the upcoming semester, focusing on proactive strategies to safeguard students and maintain a safe environment for academic pursuits.