University of Oregon officials denounce flyers targeting Hillel leader

University of Oregon President John Karl Scholz and several U.S. lawmakers have condemned the appearance of flyers on campus targeting Lenny Steinberg, the executive director of Oregon Hillel.

The posters, which featured Steinberg’s face, labeled him an “enemy of the people” and accused him of supporting the “continuation of Zionism and genocide in Palestine.” The flyers also called for the removal of Oregon Hillel, an organization serving Jewish students, from the university campus.

President Scholz described the flyers as “reprehensible,” stating that while the university is unsure if the posters were placed by an affiliate, the language promotes isolation and fear. U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with Representative Val Hoyle, also issued statements condemning the rhetoric as a blatant effort to intimidate and demonize a Jewish organization and its students.

Steinberg expressed outrage and disgust over the incident, noting that the false accusations have significantly affected his staff, students, and parents.