Holloway clarifies recent U. apology, says Rutgers did not apologize for condemning antisemitism
University President Jonathan Holloway issued a statement today in which he clarified that the recent email sent by Rutgers administrators on Thursday was not an apology for condemning antisemitism and expressed that the University denounces all forms of hatred and bigotry.
“We have not, nor would we ever, apologize for standing against antisemitism … At Rutgers we believe that antisemitism, anti-Hinduism, Islamophobia and all forms of racism, intolerance and xenophobia are unacceptable wherever and whenever they occur,” Holloway said.
The statement came after Rutgers faced backlash on social media from students in response to two emails from Rutgers—New Brunswick Chancellor Christopher J. Molloy and Provost Francine Conway sent on Wednesday and Thursday.
The first email condemned antisemitism in the U.S. while mentioning "increasing violence between Israeli forces and Hamas," The Daily Targum previously reported.
In the second email, the administrators issued an apology, stating they failed to communicate their support for Palestinian community members in the initial message and said their intent was to show that the University is a place where all students should feel supported and validated.
The initial email came days after students and community members held the March for Palestine on campus. Rutgers Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) shared an Instagram post on Thursday explaining why they felt the first email was dismissive of Palestinian voices.
After the apology was issued, Jewish on Campus, an account dedicated to amplifying Jewish student voices across universities, expressed their disappointment toward Rutgers administrators in an Instagram post yesterday and stated that taking a stance against antisemitism should not be controversial or politicized, the Targum reported.
Rutgers SJP also created a post in response to the apology and continued to voice their concerns regarding the University’s recent emails, called for conversation between administrators and students and reaffirmed their initial expectations from Rutgers.
