The University of Pennsylvania alerted the FBI of threatening messages its staff members received targeting its Jewish community, and an investigation is underway, according to an email obtained by Fox News Digital.
Penn president Liz Magill emailed the campus community on Monday advising them that university staff members received "disturbing antisemitic emails threatening violence" against its Jewish community. The messages included "hateful language" and targeted "the personal identities of the recipients", said Magill.
The "vile" antisemitic emails specifically named Penn Hillel and Lauder College House, an on-campus housing unit, according to Fox News Digital.
Magill said Penn's Division of Public Safety was immediately alerted to the threats. The Penn police subsequently notified the FBI of the "potential hate crime," and a joint investigation is underway.
"Based on these emails, Penn's Division of Public Safety conducted thorough safety sweeps of Penn Hillel and Lauder College House and found no credible threat at this time," Magill wrote in her email. "Penn Police will remain on site until further notice and has increased security presence throughout our campus."
"At a time when campuses across the country are being targeted with these types of threats, my first and highest priority is the safety and security of our community," Magill wrote. "Threats of violence are not tolerated at Penn and will be met with swift and forceful action. Penn Public Safety is working urgently with the FBI to identify the individual or individuals who are responsible for these hateful, threatening emails and to ensure they are apprehended and punished to the fullest extent of the law."
UPenn has been among several universities facing criticism over its handling of antisemitic events on campuses following Hamas' deadly attacks on Israel and Israel's response.
Alumni of the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School recently launched an online petition in which they urge the Dean of the Law School to make a statement against the atrocities committed by Hamas in Israel and be a voice of morality.
Antisemitism has been on the uptick in other campuses as well.
At Cornell University, a professor said he was “exhilarated” by Hamas’ attack on Israel, and declared that “Hamas has challenged the monopoly of violence”. The professor, Russell Rickford, later apologized.
Also at Cornell, a student was criminally charged after allegedly making threats of a mass shooting and antisemitic violence.
In another incident, Jewish students at Cooper Union College in New York City were forced to lock themselves inside the library as a mob of anti-Israeli protesters blocked the doors.
About 40 minutes later, security escorted the students out of the building via a tunnel.
The US Senate recently unanimously passed a bipartisan resolution denouncing antisemitism at higher education institutions and pushing leaders, administrators and faculty to voice their opposition to antisemitism on campus.
Late last week, the House of Representatives approved a resolution condemning the support of Hamas, Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations at higher education institutions.
