An Islamic Jihad rally (file)
An Islamic Jihad rally (file)Israel news photo: Flash 90

Brandeis University has released an official statement on its website severing ties with Hamas-linked Al Quds University after a "Nazi-style" rally outraged students on the partner campus. The university has campuses in Jerusalem and its environs.

Photos of the disturbing rally were posted on Tom Gross's blog November 6, and have aroused considerable controversy. 

The Washington Free Beacon reported earlier this month that Brandeis University, the world's best-known Jewish institution of higher education, has partnered with the Hamas institute as a means of allegedly holding "dialogue."

Last Tuesday, the Islamic Jihad terror faction launched a fascist, Nazi-style march through Al-Quds University grounds. Students dressed in Islamic Jihad style, wearing black clothing and carrying fake automatic weapons, marched through the campus and gave the Nazi salute, as the Beacon originally reported. Brandeis students and professors expressed outrage at the school's continued partnership with the Hamas .

“It bothers me very much that the school I am attending has a partnership with a school that inherently promotes death to Jews,” said student Eve Herman, who serves as the president of the Brandeis Zionist Alliance, to the Beacon.

“It is indeed incredibly unfortunate that a demonstration, such as this Nazi-style one, can take place on a campus [. . .] the fact that students were encouraged to give Hitler style salutes is a complete and utter form of anti-Semitism," Herman continued. 

Last week, Brandeis spokesman Bill Schaller repeatedly declined comment after the Free Beacon presented him with pictures and articles about the rally. In the meantime, however, Brandeis finally responded Monday on its website, canceling the partnership. 

The statement partially reads: 

Brandeis University President Frederick Lawrence announced today that Brandeis has suspended its partnership with Al-Quds University effective immediately. Brandeis will re-evaluate the relationship as future events may warrant.

The decision stems from recent events at Al-Quds University, including a campus demonstration on Nov. 5 and a statement about the demonstration, which the president of Al-Quds University issued last night.

The Nov. 5 demonstration on the Al-Quds campus involved demonstrators wearing black military gear, armed with fake automatic weapons, and who marched while waving flags and raising the traditional Nazi salute. The demonstration took place in the main square of the Al-Quds campus, which was surrounded by banners depicting images of “martyred” suicide bombers.

Immediately after he received reports of the demonstration, President Lawrence contacted Al-Quds President Sari Nusseibeh and requested that he issue an unequivocal condemnation of the demonstrations. President Lawrence also requested that the condemnation be published in both Arabic and English.  

Last night (Nov. 17), President Nusseibeh sent an email to President Lawrence with an English translation of a statement posted in Arabic on the Al-Quds web site.  

Unfortunately, the Al-Quds statement is unacceptable and inflammatory. While Brandeis has an unwavering commitment to open dialogue on difficult issues, we are also obliged to recognize intolerance when we see it, and we cannot – and will not – turn a blind eye to intolerance. As a result, Brandeis is suspending its partnership with Al-Quds University effective immediately. We will reevaluate our relationship with Al-Quds based on future events.  

As noted in the blog Elder of Ziyon, the letter Al-Quds University sent to its students, which is provided on the Brandeis University website, claims that the reports documenting the rally - which included verified photos from the event - are no more than a "vilification campaign from Jewish extremists," and linked the Holocaust - which they describe as a mere "massacre" instead of a genocide - with the "occupation" of Palestinian lands.

The statement also urges students to respect each other and faculty - but not people of other ethnicities or religions.