Penn State Hillel condemns attacks, intimidation amid anti-Israel protests

CENTRAL COUNTY, PA — Penn State Hillel – a Jewish student organization – has expressed concern over recent intimidation and attacks against Jewish students.

Officials said they were “deeply concerned” following several anti-Israel protests by students and community members on the third anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attacks.

“Criticism of the actions or policies of any country or government is protected by freedom of expression, and rightly so,” Hillel officials sent in a press release. “However, these criticisms cannot escalate into intimidation or attacks on Jewish students that create a hostile environment on campus. »

They warned that these incidents included “physically intimidating behavior directed at Jewish students” and online threats.

Hillel officials issued a statement against any threatening behavior.

“We condemn these attempts to publicly intimidate students and members of our Jewish community. We also do not support hatred or hurtful comments directed against anyone,” the statement said.

Officials said no students were injured, but they are working with several local and state agencies to ensure incidents are reported.