The College Fix

Group criticizes ‘completely unacceptable’ ‘blatant antisemitism’

A University of Chicago professor is reportedly under investigation for an “antisemitic sign,” following complaints from Jewish groups.

Furthermore, a group called Stop Antisemitism wants to see the professor “immediately terminated,” according to a new statement given to The College Fix.

The group first posted a photo in late March alleging a chemistry professor posted the sign.

“Israel must pay for the murders and destruction,” the sign reads. It further claims Israel has killed 18,000 children. “DEPORT ISRAELIS,” the sign also states.

“This is blatant antisemitism and xenophobia which is completely unacceptable, @UChicago. An investigation is needed,” the group wrote on X.

On March 30, the university announced it opened an investigation into “an antisemitic sign inside a first floor office, near a window.”

“Upon discussion, the faculty member voluntarily removed the signage,” the university stated. “The University has begun an investigation into the matter, pursuant to the University’s non-discrimination policy.”

University of Chicago spokesman Gerald McSwiggan declined to provide further comment to The Fix about the situation.

However, Stop Antisemitism wants more answers and action.

University of Chicago – Outside a chemistry professor’s classroom, a sign filled with propaganda reads, “DEPORT ISRAELIS.”

This is blatant antisemitism and xenophobia which is completely unacceptable, @UChicago. An investigation is needed. pic.twitter.com/wGer8vjX9f

— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) March 28, 2025

“StopAntisemitism unequivocally condemns this abhorrent display of antisemitism,” Liora Rez, the group’s executive director, told The Fix via an emailed media statement. “While we are aware that the university claims to be investigating, the lack of transparency surrounding this incident is deeply troubling, especially as the professor whose office the sign was found in remains on campus.”

“If it is confirmed that this professor is responsible, they must be immediately terminated for discrimination,” Rez said. “Universities have an obligation to foster safe environments for all students, staff, and faculty.”

Rez also said “[a]ntisemitism must be confronted and eradicated, not tolerated or concealed. And more importantly, free speech must never be a shield for hate.”

The Chicago Jewish Alliance similarly wants to see further action from the university. The group did not respond to two emailed requests for comment from The Fix in the past several weeks.

However, it previously took credit for sending a letter to the university president about the situation.

We sent a letter to the President of the University of Chicago. We’re working closely with students on the ground. This is the statement the University released today.

Let’s be clear: pressure works. Community matters. And transparency is everything.

We appreciate that the… pic.twitter.com/cGXW6iUqE4

— ChicagoJewishAlliance (@ChiJewishAllies) March 30, 2025

We sent a letter to the President of the University of Chicago,” CJA wrote on X. “We’re working closely with students on the ground.”

The group thanked the university for removing the signing and launching an investigation, and added it awaits “accountability.”

“We are giving the administration the benefit of the doubt—but we are watching. Closely. The Chicago Jewish Alliance will stay on this,” CJA stated.

“Period. We will not be silent. We will not disappear,” the group wrote. And we will continue to keep this community informed every step of the way.”

However, a free speech group criticized the investigation of the professor based on what can be seen in the photo. Stop Antisemitism’s photo is blurry in some parts, so it is not entirely clear what the entire sign says.

“Absent a viewpoint-neutral generally-applicable rule prohibiting posting signs on office windows that the university uniformly enforces against similar signs with different messages, the university’s free speech policies should protect the professor from investigation or punishment based on the views expressed in the sign,” Jessie Appleby, an attorney with the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, said via email.

“The proper response to offensive speech is more speech,” Appleby said. “Students and faculty who object to the sign’s content should respond with their own arguments, whether by displaying their own signs, explaining to others why the content of the sign is offensive, or engaging the person who displayed the sign in a conversation.”

“It is not the proper role of the university to decide which arguments are too offensive to air on campus though,” Appleby, who works on FIRE’s campus rights advocacy team, told The Fix.

The University of Chicago has an active pro-Palestinian, anti-Israeli community as previously covered by The College Fix.

UChicago law students previously filed a federal complaint to avoid forced representation by an anti-Israel union, as The Fix reported last year.

Pro-Palestinian students also joined their Chicago-area peers at Northwestern University and DePaul University and set up an encampment on campus last spring.

Some signs read, “We will honor all our martyrs” and “Free Palestine” as reported by a College Fix journalist on the ground.

MORE: What David Horowitz taught us about fighting the campus Left

IMAGE CAPTION AND CREDIT: A sign from a University of Chicago professor expressing his criticism of Israel; Stop Antisemitism/X with College Fix edits

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