Two dozen of the top law firms in the United States have issued a warning to law schools that there could be consequences if the rise in antisemitism is not addressed. The firms suggested the schools move with “urgency” otherwise recruitment from their schools will suffer.
In the statement published on Wednesday the firms stated, “Over the last several weeks, we have been alarmed at reports of anti-Semitic harassment, vandalism and assaults on college campuses, including rallies calling for the death of Jews and the elimination of the State of Israel. Such anti-Semitic activities would not be tolerated at any of our firms.”
The action reportedly started with Joe Shenker, a senior chair of Sullivan & Cromwell. He was discouraged to see universities “late to getting that Jewish students are actually scared — they feel threatened, and they feel betrayed,” he told DealBook.
“As educators at institutions of higher learning, it is imperative that you provide your students with the tools and guidance to engage in the free exchange of ideas, even on emotionally charged issues, in a manner that affirms the values we all hold dear and rejects unreservedly that which is antithetical to those values,” the letter continued. “There is no room for anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, racism or any other form of violence, hatred or bigotry on your campuses, in our workplaces or our communities.”
“We trust you will take the same unequivocal stance against such activities as we do, and we look forward to a respectful dialogue with you to understand how you are addressing with urgency this serious situation at your law schools,” the letter concluded.
