Hundreds of “wanted” posters with photos of Jewish faculty members were discovered at the University of Rochester over the weekend, as the school’s president said acts of antisemitism would “not be tolerated.”
Posters criticizing faculty for their response to the Oct. 7 attacks or alleged ties to the Israeli war effort in Gaza were found plastered Sunday night on walls, floors and chalkboards at the school’s western New York campus, the Rochester Beacon reported.
The posters accuse faculty members of “misuse of power and racism” and supporting “ethnic cleansing” and “the displacement of Palestinians.”
“I want to be as clear as I can that the University of Rochester strongly denounces the recent display of ‘Wanted’ posters targeting senior University leaders and members of our faculty, staff, and Board of Trustees,” university president Sarah Mangelsdorf said in a statement Tuesday. “This act is disturbing, divisive and intimidating and runs counter to our values as a university.”
Mangelsdorf noted, “Several of those depicted appear to have been targeted because they are members of our Jewish community. We view this as antisemitism, which will not be tolerated at our University. This isn’t who we are. This goes against everything we stand for and we have an obligation to reject it.”
The school’s Department of Public Safety is investigating the vandalism, noting in a statement that it will exhaust “all available resources to collect evidence and hold those involved accountable for their actions.”
Joy Getnick, executive director of UofR’s Hillel, who was also featured on one of the posters, said the group has since reached out to the Rochester Jewish Federation, the Anti-Defamation League, Hillel International and the Secure Community Network to determine their next steps.
“They disproportionately singled out Jewish faculty and staff, and used language that spreads harmful, antisemitic ideas about Jewish people and Jewish indigeneity,” she said, adding that she hopes the school’s investigation will lead to accountability, “meaningful education and healing.”
While some students at the private research institution have protested the university’s financial ties to Israel, holding demonstrations, sit-ins and encampments since last October, no group has taken responsibility for the posters.
According to the outlet, the university has exposure to $7.8 million in Israel-related investments through its Long Term Investment Pool, which is 0.2% of the total portfolio.
Still, the school’s Students for Justice in Palestine chapter demands a complete divestment “from Israeli institutions and corporations complicit in the oppression of Palestinians,” the group said following an October demonstration.