University of Oregon Hillel targeted by protesters

Protesters targeted the Hillel house at the University of Oregon in Eugene on October 7, the third anniversary of the Hamas attacks on Israel. A group of approximately 25 demonstrators, many wearing masks and hoodies, gathered outside the building to demand that the Jewish student organization be removed from campus.

Footage from the demonstration shows protesters chanting slogans such as “Hillel off campus,” “death to the IDF,” and “glory to the martyrs of the al-Aqsa flood.” During the protest, an American flag was burned on the sidewalk near the house. While the protesters gathered, Jewish students were reportedly inside or nearby in Corvallis to memorialize the victims of the October 7, 2023, attacks.

Lenny Steinberg, the executive director of the Oregon Hillel Foundation, described the event as “harassment and intimidation” and “clearly antisemitic.” He noted that the organization is working with law enforcement, university officials, and private security to ensure community safety. Steinberg emphasized that “Oregon Hillel is not going anywhere,” despite recent targeting of leadership and the theft of a sukkah at Oregon State University in late September.