New York, NY, April 24, 2014 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today expressed concern over mock eviction notices that were slid under students’ doors in a residence hall at New York University (NYU) by anti-Israel activists as a “disturbing tactic designed to silence and intimidate pro-Israel advocates on campuses around the country.”
The notices, which were distributed in NYU’s Palladium Hall, read, “We regret to inform you that your suite is scheduled for demolition in three days” and claimed to mimic the notices that the Israel Defense Forces hand out in advance of home evictions of Palestinians.
Gregg M. Mashberg, ADL New York Regional Board Chair, and Evan R. Bernstein, ADL New York Regional Director, issued the following statement:
Mock eviction notices are a disturbing tactic designed to silence and intimidate pro-Israel advocates on campuses around the country rather than promote meaningful dialogue. While students have a right to express their views on campus, targeting students in their residence halls is an unsettling intrusion.
We appreciate that NYU’s administration has spoken out against such hateful actions, and we urge them to take steps to reassure students that their personal space is secure.
The anti-Israel activists who passed out these notices are creating tension, intimidating students and fostering a hostile atmosphere on campus. The academic environment should be a place where constructive dialogue and discourse about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can thrive.
ADL said that the notices inaccurately alleged that Palestinians in the West Bank are evicted from their homes “for no other reason than their ethnicity” when in fact the Israel Defense Forces conduct evictions when there are serious security concerns and when homes are built illegally.
Eviction notices have become a popular tactic employed by anti-Israel student groups. In the past two years, similar notices have appeared in residence halls around the country.
The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world’s leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry. Follow us on Twitter @ADL_NY