Calling Out Genocide isn't Anti-Semitism

As Jews, we generally appreciate it when non-Jews are concerned about anti-semitism and call for safety and equal rights for all. Unfortunately, we find LeMoyne President Linda LeMura’s recent letter to her campus community to be deeply distressing, not comforting.

On April 15, Mosab Abu Toha, a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and poet from Gaza, spoke at LeMoyne College. A few days after the event, Mosab told one of us that it “went well and was a good reading and conversation.” Shortly thereafter (April 28), President LeMura sent a campus-wide message, which seemed to condemn Mosab’s use of the term genocide to describe what he and his people have experienced. She expressed strong concern that such language made some feel “unwelcome” and could be seen as “anti-semitic.” 

Sadly, and perhaps ironically, in her letter, President Le Mura did not address the tragedy of the situation in Gaza or what Mosab and his family have  experienced. 

Over 100 people in Mosab’s immediate family have been killed in the two and a half year assault suffered by the Palestinian people of Gaza. Less than a week ago, his aunt was shot in the chest by Israeli soldiers. Mosab carries wounds on his body from a 2009 Israeli airstrike. His words and poetry speak to that personal and collective experience, including the sharing of an extended family tree showing all the people killed.

Although neither of us were able to attend that program, we have heard Mosab speak publically, read his work and are deeply appreciative of the personal, powerful ways he speaks to the appalling genocide in Gaza and his deep desire for peace and justice. 

We agree with the conclusion reached by Mosab, as well as Amnesty International, the International Association of Genocide Scholars, the Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention, Genocide Watch, Human Rights Watch, Médecins Sans Frontières and several United Nations bodies that Israel is indeed committing genocide in Gaza. 

As Jews who have been involved in support for Palestinian freedom and human rights for decades, we are familiar with efforts to smear our work as “anti-semitic.” Yes, anti-semitism is a real and growing threat as seen here in the United States and elsewhere in the world. But criticism of Israeli aggression and violation of human rights is not inherently anti-semitic and is the responsibility of all people of conscience.

In a social media post responding to Dr. LeMura’s note, Mosab wrote in part, “I never once used the word "Jewish" during the entire event; I refuse to conflate the faith of Judaism with the actions of Israel.” We read Mosab’s heartfelt posts daily, and they break our hearts. He offers painful, humanizing details of the ongoing killings and suffering of people in Gaza, despite a so-called ceasefire having been in place since October 10, 2025. 

Unfortunately, efforts to silence speech by Palestinians and supporters of Palestine are widespread and growing, and they threaten free speech and a functioning democracy.

We encourage community members to contact President Le Mura and urge her to reconsider her perspective and create MORE space at Le Moyne for students, faculty and community members to learn about Palestine and challenge their own thinking.

Mara Sapon-Shevin and Andy Mager are long-time community activists who are service leaders at Tikkun V’Or Synagogue in Ithaca.