On September 10, 2025, Charlie Kirk was brutally shot and killed by an extremist during his event at Utah Valley University. He was targeted because he went to campuses and spoke openly, often sharing opinions that challenged others and sparked difficult conversations. His killing is a personal tragedy, but it is also part of a disturbing escalation of extremism and violence against people who engage in difficult conversations and challenge others opinions.
CU Boulder is no stranger to shocking acts of violence. Earlier this year, the Jewish community was struck by the anti-Zionist firebombing that targeted our community. It’s hard not to be frightened in this situation. While SJP and the faculty who support them have been quiet this semester compared to the last few, it’s hard to see how we move forward as an academic community.
Extremist views undermine dialogue and create greater division. I do not think people really understand the significance of what happened last summer. After the peaceful “Run for Their Lives” activists tried to raise awareness for the Israeli hostages and were attacked in broad daylight with Molotov cocktails, nothing really changed. Several were injured, and 82-year-old Karen Diamond died as a result of her severe injuries.
The police refused to call it a hate crime at first and a councilwoman even refused to call it antisemitism, choosing to clarify it as anti-zionism as if to rationalize or even justify the attack as a response to Israel’s defensive war against Hamas.
While the school made a statement, there was no acknowledgement of how the rhetoric pushed by SJP and FSJP contributed to these sorts of crimes. While SJP was suspended due to their violations of the school’s code of conduct last year, they were easily able to find a way around the restrictions with little to no consequence. How many times does our community need to be warned of what unchecked anger and demonization can lead to before they make a different choice?
On campus, we have seen similar hostility, albeit on a smaller scale. Last year, Jewish students endured targeted intimidation. Members of Students for Justice in Palestine staged sit-ins in the library with signs reading “Your tuition is funding genocide” and “Death to Israel.” At Israel Fest, an event meant to celebrate culture and community, the Students Supporting Israel banner was ripped down and stolen. Even at a memorial for October 7th, protesters attempted to disrupt the event by storming through with speakers and Palestinian flags until they were asked to leave by security. These incidents may not have resulted in physical harm, however, they reflect the same pattern. When constant demonization and anger are normalized, intimidation grows, and violence becomes more likely.
Thankfully, I have not personally felt targeted during my time here because of the strong Jewish presence on campus where Jewish organizations, cultural events, and a supportive community have created a sense of belonging for many jewish students. However, that doesn’t change the danger that we face.
This year, while our vigil to remember the victims of 10/7 and call for the return of the hostages was relatively peaceful, there were still students threatening to throw eggs at us and several shouted “free Palestine.” We cannot allow intimidation to replace conversation, and we cannot allow fear to weaken the strong community we have. Tabling and open discussions continue to be central, as they help break through misinformation and encourage people to listen to one another. This inevitably creates a deeper understanding of the conflict and is essential to building a campus culture rooted in dialogue, respect, and truth between students and staff. Rising hostility in the U.S. stems from misinformation and from the demonization of Jews and students who are pro-Israel. If ignored, the risk of fueling further violence grows, as we saw this summer.
The university should also take a stronger stance against acts of intimidation and provide visible support for student-organized events. By standing united against hate and refusing to let intimidation dictate our actions, we can ensure that our campus remains a place where dialogue and understanding triumph over fear and division.
This article was originally published in the Times of Israel Blogs.
