Cornell University is currently investigating an antisemitic response from one of its students to an internship offer, reports Campus Reform. Austin Franco responded to an offer from a New York City (NYC) startup company, one owned by two Jewish brothers, by saying, "Not interested in working for a Jew. Thanks."
Gabe Einhorn, one of the brothers, says that it was the most direct incident of antisemitism that he has ever experienced. He posted on X about the incident, informing that Franco applied to the job through Handshake, a career network designed to help college students, and that was his response after they accepted him.
“He probably knows nothing about Jews accept for what they tell him in college and on social media. Sad world,” Einhorn posted.
Cornell informed that after learning of the disturbing comment, the incident was referred to the university’s Office of Civil Rights for investigation. The university has been dealing with antisemitic controversy since the Hamas attack in October 7, 2023.
Gregory Lyakhov, New York correspondent for Campus Reform, says that during his interviews with some other students on college campuses across NYC, they expressed concern that the antisemitic cultures on college campuses will follow them to the workplace.
“The workforce is supposed to be their refuge, where it's not supposed to be antisemitic, but this antisemitism is following them,” Lyakhov says.
He credits Cornell by saying that when he talked to a spokesperson about the incident, they said that they're investigating it, and that they condemn it. This shows, he continues, that the push from the federal government to crack down on antisemitism is working.
“It does show that when the federal government gets involved, when the federal government actually puts pressure on these universities to do something about the antisemitism, that the results will be positive, and that's what we have seen,” Lyakhov says.
