Demand Ohio University Condemn Antisemitism

Antisemitism is surging at Ohio University. Two weeks ago, notorious antisemite Myron Gaines came to campus and performed Nazi salutes while spewing hateful rhetoric about Jews. Last week, the Student Senate held a school-wide referendum demanding the university divest from Israel, in line with the antisemitic Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. Demand the Ohio University administration publicly condemn antisemitism and take action to protect its Jewish students.

To the leadership of Ohio University:

I am writing to express my deep concern about the alarming rise in antisemitism at Ohio University and to urge the administration to take immediate, decisive action.

Two weeks ago, notorious antisemite Myron Gaines arrived on Ohio University’s College Green and greeted the crowd with a Nazi salute — a gesture banned in several countries as a hate symbol. During his appearance, Gaines spewed vile antisemitic rhetoric, declaring that “Jews control America” among other hateful statements. This brazen display of Jew hatred on your campus is unacceptable and demands a forceful response from University leadership.

Last week, a schoolwide referendum was held on whether to call on the University to divest from Israel, in accordance with the antisemitic Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaign. BDS is not about promoting human rights or social justice. It is a thinly veiled attempt to delegitimize the Jewish state and its right to exist. BDS activity on college campuses has been directly linked to an increase in antisemitic incidents and only inflames tensions in already unwelcoming environments for Jewish students.

Furthermore, Ohio law prohibits public universities from divesting from Israel. Despite the BDS referendum passing, the only thing it can really accomplish is increasing hostility toward Jewish students on campus.

In September 2025, in response to a letter from Senator Bernie Moreno, Ohio University affirmed its commitment to “ensuring that every student can learn, live, and thrive in a welcoming environment.” With Nazi salutes being performed on College Green and the antisemitic BDS referendum being held, it is time for the administration to make good on that commitment.

I am calling on the Ohio University administration to:

1) Publicly condemn the recent antisemitic events on campus, including the vile rhetoric and actions from Myron Gaines;

2) Unequivocally reject the antisemitic BDS movement;

3) Take action to ensure that Jewish students and staff at Ohio University feel safe and welcome on campus.

Universities should be places where all students, regardless of their background or beliefs, feel safe and respected. When Nazi salutes go unchallenged and antisemitic movements gain traction, Jewish students pay the price. Silence in the face of hate is complicity. Please take a clear stand.

Signed
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