Your Opinion: Growing problem of anti-Semitism

Dear Editor:

Anti-Semitism is a growing problem in the United States and has been recognized as a growing trend by the U.S. State Department. The ADL has recognized an upswing in U.S. rates of anti-Semitic incidents and an increase in "Jew hatred" particularly among the growing immigration groups which are importing such hostilities from their own cultural conditioning. Here in the heart of Missouri we have also seen a sharp rise in anti-Semitic propaganda and hostilities.

In 2014 we witnessed the tragic shooting at the Kansas City Jewish Community Center by a man from Marionville, Mo. To add insult to injury the mayor of said city also sympathized with the shooter's ideology of hate. This past April at Missouri University there appeared swastikas and anti-Semitic threats of violence spray painted on the walls within the Mark Twain residence hall.

Hearken back to 2013 when another incident occurred that was meant to target the group Christians United for Israel in an overtly anti-Semitic desecration of pro-Israel materials. The presence of anti-Semitism, typically in the guise of anti-Israel, is prevalent in our Midwestern communities and an especially difficult problem on our university campuses. After the graffiti incident at Missouri University the administration came under public and media scrutiny for not responding quickly and essentially brushing the issue under the rug. Further, over 16 organizations called upon Mizzou administration to take steps to insure that adequate measures were taken to protect the Jewish students on campus from violence.

Therefore it was shocking to hear that Mizzou just recently appointed Professor George Smith to lead a class called "Perspectives on Zionism." The reason why this comes as such a shock is because Smith is a notorious anti-Semite on campus who has spread a message of hate with great evangelistic zeal. He has called the state of Israel the most shameful chapter of Jewish history and has expressed glee over the acts of terrorism committed by Hamas against Jewish citizens. Smith has come out as a staunch supporter of recognized terrorists groups and pedals their propaganda of hate on the campus of Mizzou. Fortunately, there wasn't any enrollment for this so-called professor's class and it ended up being canceled.

However, the greater issue has to be why the administration is insistent on minimizing Jewish sympathies on campus and willfully promoting the message of Mr. Smith even after assuring the public that they would do otherwise?