Duke University Student Government senators approved a resolution that condemns anti-Semitism and adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of anti-Semitism.
“Given the sheer prevalence of anti-Semitism, globally and across campus in the United States, we feel that it is necessary for the Duke Student Government to take a timely stand,” said sophomore senator Nicole Rosenzweig in a DSG meeting on Wednesday, as reported by the school’s newspaper The Chronicle.
Rosenzweig introduced the resolution with junior Lana Gesinky, who serves as vice president of campus life at the university, and three freshman student government senators.
The resolution highlighted incidents of anti-Semitism that took place at the school, such as the drawing of swastikas and a 2019 complaint filed against the university with the U.S. Department of Education. It also referenced the Jan. 15 hostage situation at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, and called on DSG to show solidarity with the Jewish community, according to The Chronicle.
The resolution was approved one week after DSG senators attended an anti-Semitism training presentation hosted by Jewish Life at Duke, which serves as a Hillel on campus, as well as a department within Duke University’s Division of Student Affairs.
