May 1, 2024

CAFI Statement on Anti-Israel Encampments

The CUNY Alliance for Inclusion (CAFI) wants Jewish and Israeli CUNY members and their allies to know that we see you and support you. We recognize the visceral threat of the anti-Israel encampments. For this reason, we oppose both the encampments and the statement made by PSC-CUNY supporting them and opposing the congressional hearings on campus antisemitism.

CAFI affirms the right of all students, faculty and staff to fully engage in academic and social life at CUNY. We support free speech and robust dialogue and oppose encampments, in which protestors engage in harassment, intimidation and violence. These encampments impede learning for all students by creating hostile and noisy environments not conducive to studying and participating in collegiate life.

These protesters engage in behaviors that go well beyond free speech. They actively block students from campus facilities, vandalize property, assault other students, and call for the annihilation of Israel and the genocide of Jews. These activities violate CUNY Policies, the Henderson Rules, New York State Policy, and Federal Title VI Civil Rights Law. They are not protected by the First Amendment.

CUNY Alliance For Inclusion