“Antisemitism Is a Cancer That Has Been Spreading for Decades in American Academia”
The Technion President’s Award for Exceptional Achievement was recently awarded to four individuals for their determination in fighting antisemitism and defending the State of Israel. The recipients – attorney Jeff Abrams, Prof. Qanta Ahmed, Prof. Dr. Patrick Cramer, and Nova Peris, participated in a special panel on antisemitism during the Technion Board of Governors meeting.
Abrams, Ahmed, Peris, and Cramer received the Technion President’s Award for Exceptional Achievement “in recognition of their dedication to combating antisemitism and defending the State of Israel, particularly in the wake of the events of October 7, 2023; in acknowledgement of their commitment to truth, justice, and the Jewish people, both within academia and beyond; in appreciation of their courage, advocacy, and leadership, which have stood against hatred, misinformation, and hostility, ensuring that Israel’s voice is heard and that the dignity of the Jewish people is upheld.”
The event was moderated by Prof. Lehi Zelnik-Manor, Vice President for Innovation and Industry Relations, who said: “We are gathered not only to honor four individuals who have fearlessly stood by Israel and the scientific community in this extremely challenging time but also to highlight the broader global context that underscores the importance of their support. Israel has faced enormous difficulties since the war broke out, an international flashpoint that sparked widespread protests. We are witnessing a deeply troubling surge in antisemitism. In such circumstances, the support of individuals and institutions is a beacon of hope for us. Today we salute these exemplary figures whose actions reflect solidarity but more than that—they embody the values upon which the Technion is founded: excellence, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to truth.”
Technion President Prof. Uri Sivan said: “Antisemitism is an ancient plague, as old as Judaism itself. Throughout history, it has thrived on blood libels and prejudice, casting the Jew as ‘the other.’ These prejudices led to horrific atrocities, foremost among them the Holocaust. So it was not surprising that on October 7, even before the war erupted, antisemitism once again raised its vile head. This antisemitism, fueled by centuries of hatred and ignorance and by generous funding from pro-Palestinian organizations and terror-supporting states. Today we gather to honor four individuals and one organization (the Max Planck Society) who showed bravery and dedication in combating antisemitism and supporting us in defense of Israel—four people who risked their reputations and the public trust they hold to stand with the Jewish people, the State of Israel, and Israeli academia against boycotts and vile rhetoric. Four courageous individuals raising a strong and proud voice of support and friendship. We are deeply grateful.”
As part of the event, the four honorees participated in a panel on antisemitism and how to fight it, moderated by Prof. Emeritus Peretz Lavie, former Technion President and Chair of the Technion Friends Association in Israel. “Although antisemitism is an ancient phenomenon,” said Prof. Lavie at the panel’s opening, “the events of October 7 sparked a massive wave of unrestrained antisemitism. Criticism of Israel is legitimate, but this isn’t criticism—this is harming Jews around the world based not on their actions or opinions, but simply on their identity. My academic career took me to many American campuses, but I never imagined the current reality—even in my worst nightmares. In cities across Europe, America, and even Asia, ‘Free Palestine’ has become a rallying cry for violence against Jews, synagogues, and communities. This is antisemitism in a new guise. In this panel, we will learn from our guests about their experiences, perspectives, and strategies to act against it.
“This isn’t student rhetoric – it’s Hamas rhetoric”
Attorney Jeff Abrams, Regional Director (Los Angeles) of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), founded in 1913 to combat defamation of the Jewish people, said: “Antisemitism is a cancer that has been spreading for decades in American academia. The writing was on the wall, but everything exploded on October 7. University leaders, some of them Jewish, failed in their duty to protect students and scholars and ensure campuses are safe for everyone.”
Abrams continued: “Leaders must lead—and university heads did not. The antisemitic rhetoric of Students for Justice in Palestine infiltrated universities in an organized manner and was adopted by students who, out of ignorance, applied their naive views to Israeli reality. ‘From the river to the sea’ and ‘Globalize the Intifada’—this is not student rhetoric but Hamas rhetoric, and it seeped into academia. There’s good news—some university presidents were dismissed and replaced by leaders who better understand their legal and moral responsibilities.”
“This is Nazi ideology in the full sense of the word”
Prof. Qanta Ahmed, a Pakistani-born Muslim physician, rushed to Israel after the October 7 massacre. After visiting Kibbutz Be’eri and body identification centers in Shura and Abu Kabir, she shared her harrowing impressions in a lecture at the Technion, stating: “Coming to Israel and testifying to what happened here is my moral and religious duty as a Muslim. We all search for the right words to describe October 7, and it’s crucial to use the correct terms—‘genocide’ and ‘crime against humanity.’”
In the panel discussion, Ahmed said: “Hamas has no aspirations for peace. It positions itself on the front lines of a war against Zionism, aimed at the total destruction of the Jewish state, Jews, and even Muslims who cooperate with them. All of this is explicitly stated in the Hamas charter. I knew this before, but meeting October 7 survivors and visiting the identification centers sharpened my understanding.” Ahmed noted the situation in Europe: “Le Figaro published a French government-commissioned report exposing a global plan to embed radical Islam in French society via education and social support, funded by Qatar and Saudi Arabia, laundered through Brussels to appear legitimate. We must understand: this is Nazi ideology in every sense. This plan is led by the Muslim Brotherhood, operating around 140 education and prayer centers and over 20 private schools educating 4,200 children. Anyone opposing this trend is accused of ‘Islamophobia.’ In the U.S., the situation is even more challenging legally free speech and assembly rights hinder efforts to fight these trends. Moreover, American academia is hungry for foreign funding, much of which comes with radical Islamic influence.”
“Communities with a painful past—but a hopeful future”
Nova Peris, former Australian Member of Parliament, was the first Aboriginal Australian in parliament and the first Aboriginal Olympic gold medalist (hockey, Atlanta 1996). She opened her remarks by comparing Aboriginal and Jewish histories:
“Ancient communities exiled, persecuted, and struggling for survival. Communities with a painful past—but a hopeful future. The Aboriginal community owes much to the Jews who defended and fought for its rights. That’s why I wept with Australian Jews on October 7. I came to Israel, visited Kibbutz Be’eri and the Nova site, and watched the horror video—after which no one can ignore absolute evil.” Peris added: “In Australia, too, antisemitism reared its head—two days after the massacre, Israeli flags were burned in masse. No one was arrested, and this legitimized continued antisemitic actions. The horrific cry ‘F*** the Jews’ was replaced by the even more appalling ‘Gas the Jews.’ Israel is not an apartheid state but a country defending itself from brutal terror. We honor the resilience of the Jewish people, who have suffered unparalleled persecution, and the spirit of Israeli youth now defending their homeland. On behalf of the Aboriginal people standing with Israel—some of whom came here with me—I share your grief for the victims and support your struggle for freedom.”
“Our drive for cooperation with Israel is based on excellence”
Prof. Dr. Patrick Cramer, the ninth president of the Max Planck Society, has worked tirelessly to strengthen academic ties between Germany and Israel. Under his leadership, the society opened a Jerusalem office to bolster scientific collaboration and support Israeli researchers amid growing antisemitism and academic isolation.
In the panel, he said: “Our drive for collaboration with Israel is rooted in excellence. Israeli academia produces top-quality science. While many around the world believe this is the time to sever ties with Israel, we believe that strengthening scientific bridges is vital for all parties.” Cramer noted that over the past five years, more than 2,000 scientific papers have been co-authored by German and Israeli researchers, and around 100 joint projects are currently underway. “We are building a German-Israeli-American consortium aimed at strengthening science and preventing a brain drain—not from countries but from the scientific community itself. This must be an international effort because the conflict is not between national academies but between the voice of science and
Photo credit: Rami Shlush
