Jewish students on college campuses, such as Columbia University, are facing a disturbing reality that harkens back to the dark times of Nazi-ruled Europe. While protesters rally for justice and rights, many may not fully understand the cause they are championing. At a recent protest, the goal was to show support for Palestine and demand that NYU take action, even though many were unaware of the specifics of NYU’s involvement.

The discrimination faced by Jewish students at Columbia University mirrors the exclusion and violence that Jews faced in 1938 at the University of Vienna. Just as Jewish students were barred from entering campus grounds in Vienna, Jewish students today are being physically assaulted and forcibly removed from campus spaces by anti-Semitic mobs at Columbia University.

The parallels continue as instances of violence and exclusion against Jewish students at universities echo the tactics used against Jews in Nazi Germany. Just as Jewish storefronts and homes were destroyed during Kristallnacht in Germany, Jewish students face assaults and exclusion on American campuses. This discrimination is not about Israel; it is about targeting Jews solely because of their religion.

Nazi-era tactics, such as armed militias targeting Jews and restricting their movements, are being recreated on college campuses today. Jewish students are being interrogated about their beliefs and faced with Nazi propaganda, such as signs referencing the “final solution.” The academic exclusion faced by Jewish academics in Nazi Germany is mirrored today, as Jewish professors are barred from entering universities simply because of their religion.

The normalization of symbols of violence and terrorism, such as the swastika and Hamas, on college campuses, is deeply troubling. Just as Nazi symbols were used to spread fear and promote genocide, students proudly display these symbols without understanding their historical significance. The embrace of terrorist symbols, like the Hizballah flag, signals a disturbing comfort with violence on college campuses.

The generation of students today must be aware of the parallels between the tactics of intimidation and violence used against Jews in Nazi Germany and the actions of some protesters on college campuses. While the discrimination faced by Jewish students may not be a systematic policy, it is still a serious issue that must be addressed. Anti-Semitism (Jewish Racism) is not just a Jewish problem; it is a humanity problem that requires unity and action from all individuals.

It is crucial that Jews, who make up only 0.2% of the world’s population, are protected and supported on college campuses. Indifference to the discrimination faced by Jewish students is not an option; all individuals must stand against anti-Semitism (Jewish Racism) and ensure the safety of all groups on campus. War and violence should never be celebrated, and the freedom that previous generations fought for must be respected and upheld. This generation must learn from history and prevent the atrocities of the past from being repeated in the present.