US Villanova University Director brands Zionism as Fascism – and we are horrified

The Philadelphia Anti-Defamation League, led by Director Andrew Goretsky, received numerous complaints about the presentation. Their intervention led to meetings with Villanova officials, urging them to clarify that the slides did not represent the university's position and recommending antisemitism training - a telling indication of the gravity of the incident.

Perhaps most revealing was Edmond's subsequent defense in a YouTube video, where she criticized what she called the "annihilating rage" of "Zionist Jews" who dare to object to "any hint of critique" of Zionism. While claiming to combat antisemitism, she simultaneously described the current situation in 'Palestinian territories' as a "genocide," employing language that many Jewish organizations have identified as antisemitic dog-whistling.

Villanova University's response has been notably tepid, merely stating that Edmond "spoke in a private capacity" and her views don't represent the university's position - a standard bureaucratic deflection that fails to address the serious concerns about antisemitism in academic institutions.

The incident at Villanova adds to a growing pattern of antisemitic rhetoric being normalized in academic settings under the guise of "anti-racism" and "anti-colonialism." That such views could be openly presented at a professional mental health conference - by someone responsible for counseling college students - raises serious questions about the safety and support of Jewish students on campus.

The College Fix contributed to this article.