JCRC Statement on the BDS Resolution
Reflections on Our Work at the Ukrainian Border
April 8, 2022
Passover in Warsaw
April 13, 2022
The Jewish Community Relations Council of JewishColumbus unequivocally condemns the Boycott, Divestment and Sanction (BDS) resolution voted on by the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) at The Ohio State University.
The BDS movement is an anti-Israel campaign that seeks to use economic leverage in order to create a world without a Jewish state. Many BDS supporters traffic in antisemitic rhetoric encompassing all facets of classical antisemitic language.
Veiled in antisemitic intent, this resolution is malicious as it demonizes and delegitimizes Israel. USG silenced other OSU students’ right to affirm their support of Israel by voting on this resolution without public debate.
Virulent anti-Israel rhetoric on college campuses has created an atmosphere that is hostile to Jewish students. We stand firmly in support of all Jewish students and staff at Ohio State and their right to express support for Israel without fear of harm or isolation. OSU should be an example of a campus that is inclusive, welcoming and safe for all members of the Jewish community.
Supporting this BDS resolution, we feel strongly, is not the culture that Ohio State wishes to create. We call on President Kristina Johnson and The Ohio State University to immediately condemn antisemitism and this resolution. This BDS resolution threatens the safety of the Jewish community at OSU.
We will continue to work closely with the Jewish community at Ohio State and the administration to assure Jewish life at Ohio State is nurturing, vibrant, and well integrated into the larger school community.
We will continue to reach out to our elected officials to make sure that Ohio House Bill 476, the ‘anti-BDS bill’ is being adhered to by OSU.
