Jewish students sue DePaul University over campus antisemitic attack
- Two Jewish students were attacked on DePaul University's campus while expressing support for Israel.
- The students claim the university failed to intervene and protect them despite previous complaints about rising antisemitism.
- The lawsuit highlights a need for accountability and action to ensure safety for Jewish students in light of ongoing hate crimes.
On November 6, 2024, two Jewish students at DePaul University in Chicago, Max Long and Michael Kaminsky, were physically attacked on campus while showing support for Israel. The assailants, who were masked, reportedly punched Long, causing a concussion, while Kaminsky suffered a wrist injury that required surgery. This incident is being described by police as a hate crime, as the attackers were reported to have shouted antisemitic remarks during the assault. The lawsuit they filed claims that a security officer nearby did not intervene or protect the students during the attack. Furthermore, it alleges that the university was aware of previous harassment faced by Long but failed to provide adequate safety measures. The incident followed a period of rising antisemitism on the campus, linked to the ongoing conflict involving Israel and Hamas. Amid growing tensions since Hamas's attack on Israel in October 2023, Long had previously raised concerns over harassment he experienced, prompting complaints about the hostile campus environment for Jewish students. The lawsuit seeks more than $50,000 from DePaul University for these claims of negligence and dissatisfaction with the safety protocols in place. The students are advocating not only for justice for their case but broader accountability for the safety of Jewish individuals on campuses nationwide. They believe universities should uphold an environment of safety and freedom of dialogue, rather than victimization, reflecting Long's comment that he felt more vulnerable on campus than in combat zones.