Follow more live updates from day two of the 'Gaza Solidarity Encampment' here.
Representatives from the Jewish Student Advisory Group will meet with Penn administrators on Friday, though they said they are not seeking an end to the 'Gaza Solidarity Encampment', according to a message sent to Penn Hillel community members obtained by The Daily Pennsylvanian.
The group released a survey "to measure the impact of the hostility of the encampment on Jewish student life." The survey asks community members to report if they have experienced intimidation, faced threats, or had difficulties going to class or preparing for final exams since the start of the encampment.
“Essentially the continuation of the encampment depends on our ability to prove that it has or will create a hostile or intimidating environment on campus,” the message sent to the group reads. “Please note that this is not a petition to end the encampment or arrest protesters, but a survey to measure the impact of the hostility of the encampment on Jewish student life.”
The survey specifically cites various chants made by protesters on College Green, including “Globalize the intifada," "There is only one solution, intifada revolution," "You wanna know what we say about Israelis? They're pigs,” and “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” It also references posts on Sidechat.
In less than an hour, the survey received harassment accounts related to the encampment from over 100 Penn students, a source familiar told the DP.
The meeting with administration follows a statement to the Penn community this morning in which Interim President Larry Jameson outlined what would prompt a response to the encampment by the University. The message suggested that Penn would consider action against the encampment if it had evidence of "threatening or violent behaviors."
In his email, Jameson wrote that Penn "will not stand by" if "protected protest and speech deteriorate into words and actions that violate Penn’s policies, disrupt University business, or contribute to an intimidating or hostile environment on our campus.”
Penn Hillel Executive Director and Rabbi Gabe Greenberg addressed the heightened pro-Palestinian activism occurring on campus during Passover in an email to Penn Hillel family and friends Friday night.
Greenberg referenced a petition calling for Penn to divest from Israel, which the Nominations & Elections Committee has approved to proceed to a referendum with the student body. Greenberg said that Hillel has “urged” the University to reiterate its opposition to divestment.
“We have communicated to the NEC that the short voting window disadvantages the involvement of those Jewish students who do not use their phones or screens on Shabbat and Passover,” he wrote.
He added that Hillel is seeking signatures for a pro-Israel referendum “to ensure that there can be a more balanced discourse to this question.” The petition, which is circulated by the Penn Israel Public Affairs Committee, asks four questions related to whether Penn should adhere to the Department of Education and Pennsylvania’s anti-discrimination regulations and continue investing in Israeli companies developing medical research and technology.
Greenberg also acknowledged the ongoing encampment established yesterday on College Green. He referenced incidents of spray-painting and said that there have been reports of Jewish students feeling “threatened and harassed” near the area of the demonstration.
The email condemned the referendum and protests, stating that they “demonize and de-legitimize Israel, normalize hateful rhetoric, and further divide the campus community.” Greenberg called for Penn to “move swiftly” to ensure student safety and security on campus.
Hillel will have additional security measures in place as students gather for a free Passover Shabbat dinner on Friday night, according to Greenberg. The email ended with a message of support for students graduating during a time of national unrest.
“We will never stop our proactive approach to cultivating the most robust and joyous Jewish life at Penn, including efforts to forge connections with other communities on campus, even when a crisis threatens to distract and derail,” Greenberg said.
Yesterday, a University spokesperson wrote to The Daily Pennsylvanian that "safety is our top priority, and there will be consequences for actions that are not permitted by University policies or local, state, or federal law."
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