How City Council Deputy Inna Vernikov Fights Anti-Semitism at New York University

A New York City Council member from Brooklyn accused the city's college system of commissioning a former anti-Israel group employee to investigate a high-profile incident of anti-Semitism, reports New York Post.

“CUNY has assigned a former CAIRNational representative to investigate allegations of anti-Semitism. It's like asking a sexual abuser to investigate allegations of sexual harassment,” Inna Vernikov tweeted. She is an American Jew of Ukrainian origin.

“Would CUNY hire David Duke to investigate allegations of racism?” she added.

Vernikov and SAFE CUNY - a group of students and teachers fighting anti-Semitism on campuses - referred to the message in the Daily Caller. It describes the appointment of CUNY Diversity Director Sali Abd Allah. He is a former member of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. CAIR is a prominent supporter of the pro-Palestinian BDS movement against the Jewish state.

Lux filed the complaint after learning that leftist faculty at CUNY's Kingsborough Community College on Manhattan Beach plotted to exclude him from the March 2018 caucus. They deliberately scheduled him for Friday night - the beginning of Saturday, so that he could not attend. The meeting did not take place after complaints surfaced that it was intended to be held on a Jewish day of rest.

A recent complaint to the US Department of Education alleges that CUNY has become a hostile environment for Jewish students.

Although CUNY has condemned the disturbing incidents, the issue came to a head last month. At the time, CUNY Chancellor Felix Matos Rodriguez was unable to attend a city council hearing on allegations of anti-Semitic harassment on campuses.

Vernikov said that the appointment of Abd Alla was the last straw.

She said she was trying to get Mayor Eric Adams involved in the case. But in the end she accused him of delaying the adoption of measures.

“I've been talking to the mayor's office about anti-Semitism in CUNY for over two months now. I requested a meeting with the mayor to discuss this very important topic. After all, it affects thousands of Jewish New Yorkers. A new semester has begun, but the meeting has been postponed again,” Vernikov said.

“The City Hall's delay in addressing anti-Semitism on campuses, where students fear being openly Jewish, is puzzling. And, frankly, a disappointment. I know that the mayor cares about the Jewish community. But making a statement acknowledging and condemning anti-Semitism at the City University of New York is easy. I hope the mayor will sit down at the negotiating table very soon,” she said.

Abd Allah did not respond to an email asking for comment.

And Joseph Tirella said, “CUNY is committed to developing a diverse and inclusive community, free from anti-Semitism and all forms of hate and safe for all people. All CUNY Diversity Directors are professionals. They have been trained to ensure that the university and its campuses comply with workplace regulations. And conducting fair and impartial investigations into discrimination in the workplace.”

On the subject: Anti-Semitism surges in Brooklyn as NYPD ramps up synagogue patrols

A spokeswoman for Adams responded, “Mayor Adams is uncompromising in condemning anti-Semitism and fighting hate. Hate has no place in our city and in our state.”

The Adams administration is actively working with CUNY to find solutions that will make Jewish students feel more secure.

“New York is a city with many different cultures, languages ​​and nationalities. We are working to combat the surge in hate crimes. And especially anti-Semitic, it's important for us to support and encourage all New Yorkers," spokeswoman Adams said.