'Create a boundary, but avoid a swastika symbol,' Kraft foundation instructs campus demonstrators.
"Scream all you want, but don't target the Jewish kid on his way to school," says a 30-second ad, displaying images from protests since October 7th. "Draw a line between what's right and wrong, but don't draw a swastika."
This statement comes as anti-Semitism escalates in America, with instances of harassment and physical assault against Jewish students and faculty at universities where anti-Israel-Hamas protestors have been seen.
Robert Kraft, a billionaire businessman who owns the New England Patriots and is a Columbia University alum, where the majority of pro-Palestine protests take place, has proposed withholding donations from the university until they take action against it.
Kraft's foundation recently launched this campaign aimed at combating "Jewish hate and all hate." He said in a statement last week, "Dialogue is important, peaceful protests are vital, but hatred and intimidation are not allowed."
Tara Levine, president of Kraft's foundation, added to CNN, "Protests should debate political issues, but should never involve hate speech or intimidation. Our ads illustrate when protests lead to constructive conversations, and when they cross the line into hatred."
In addition, Kraft purchased a Super Bowl ad this year to highlight anti-Semitism, but it did not specifically address campus protests.
University administrators have been criticized for their responses to the encampments on campuses. This week, University of Chicago's president Paul Alivastos authorized police to clear the encampment.
While some view these actions as suppressing free speech, university officials maintain that the protests have caused disruption, jeopardized student security, and violated school rules.
Before the ad aired on Tuesday night, President Joe Biden is set to deliver an address at the Holocaust Memorial Museum's Days of Remembrance ceremony in Washington. During his speech, he plans to address the long history of anti-Semitism and make a "call to action" on combating anti-Semitism.
The campus protests, however, are not a significant part of the president's remarks. Last week, he spoke on campus chaos after students and outside agitators broke into Columbia University's Hamilton Hall and barricaded themselves inside.
"Vandalism, trespassing, breaking windows, shutting down campuses, forcing the cancellation of classes and graduation – none of this is peaceful protesting," Biden said.
MJ Lee from CNN contributed to this report.
Read also:
- Lack of snow also opens up new opportunities for winter tourism
- Abrupt end to e-car subsidies
- The chemical industry has little confidence
- Intersport boss hopes for sales boom through sporting events
Source: edition.cnn.com
