Oklahoma State University has come under national scrutiny after a message from Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) was distributed touting a “week of rage” to oppose Israel’s response to the Hamas terrorist attack of Oct. 7, 2023.

Eyal Yakoby, an incoming Massachusetts Institute of Technology student who self-describes as being “dedicated to combating Jew-Hate and anti-Americanism,” highlighted the OSU email on his account on X (the site formerly known as Twitter).

“The official diversity committee at Oklahoma State University’s psychology department sent an email soliciting students to participate in the ‘Week of Rage’ sponsored by SJP,” Yakoby wrote. “The first event is on Oct. 7th to celebrate the massacre. This is systemic antisemitism.”

An accompanying screenshot of the OSU email stated that the senders “wanted to share some information regarding the upcoming Week of Rage hosted by the OSU Students for Justice in Palestine (OSU SJP). Since it’s been a year of genocide in Palestine, the students are continuing their commitment to the liberation of the Palestinian people and the end of the Zionist regime through a week of action from October 7th to 11th” [bold in original].

Among other events, the OSU Students for Justice in Palestine urged participation in an Oct. 7 “Vigil for our martyrs” and an Oct. 8 “demand divestment” protest calling on OSU to defund various entities linked to Israel.

Hamas terrorists killed approximately 1,200 people in Israel during an Oct. 7, 2023, attack, including hundreds of attendees at a music festival. Hamas also kidnapped several hundred more individuals. Israel has responded by targeting Hamas terrorists in Palestine, drawing criticism from some groups for the associated death toll.

The OSU email drew strong response from both public officials and citizens, including Gov. Kevin Stitt, who tweeted, “Celebrating a massacre is wrong on every level. We can have policy discussions without giving legitimacy to terrorists. As governor of this state, I call on all leaders to condemn this spectacle & stand with our Jewish & Israeli friends as they mourn this painful anniversary.”

Alan Rosca, a self-described investor-rights advocate and “sometimes” securities law professor, responded by calling the OSU event a “celebration of an abhorrent terrorist act by an Islamist terror group. This radicalization and celebration of violence and terror in campuses across the country is a serious national security issue.”

Oklahoma State University officials distanced the school from the email communication, declaring in a statement, “Oklahoma State University did not and does not officially support or endorse the events or political positions promoted by the student chapter of SJP. OSU supports our students’ free speech and free assembly rights.

“We have campus policies in place to protect all students and ensure academic instruction is not disrupted,” the OSU statement continued. “As this week unfolds, we will enforce those rules across campus, and we will be swift to respond to any unlawful events.”

In response to a request from the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, OSU officials stated, “This email was student-authored and distributed by a student group. It was not reviewed or endorsed by the university’s administration. The email was not sent campus wide. It was sent solely within the psychology department. Student researchers commonly use email listservs as a tool to collaborate on research and various academic activities.

“In accordance with a litigation settlement this spring—which the OCPA blog posted about here—student use of university email to distribute political content is protected by the First Amendment and allowed under OSU policy,” the statement continued. “At OSU, we support free speech and an environment that encourages the sharing of different ideas and perspectives. We believe a robust public discourse is a contribution to the process of addressing society’s most pressing challenges, which is our charge as a land-grant institution.

“We appreciate the opportunity to educate students and the public about the First Amendment and protected vs. unprotected speech on public campuses. For additional information regarding free speech protections enshrined by the Constitution, visit https://studentaffairs.okstate.edu/free-speech/.”

University of Oklahoma also faces criticism

While OSU has received the most attention, officials at the University of Oklahoma in Norman are also facing concerns about student radicalism and the safety of Jewish students as the OU chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine prepares to observe the anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel.

In an Oct. 4 email obtained by the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, OU Senior Vice Provost Mark Morvant informed OU deans, chairs, and directors that in light of “planned expressive activity next week,” including a planned walk-out associated with Students for Justice in Palestine on Oct. 9, “flexibility in attendance and assignments should be provided for students that express a concern for their safety on campus or have been adversely impacted by the planned expressive activities.”

The email also stated, “Faculty who also are concerned for their safety on campus or have been adversely impacted by the planned expressive activities may make a short term pivot to online instruction, but should continue instructional activities next week.”

Concerns about student and staff safety prompted some OU employees to write OU President Joseph Harroz, Jr., requesting that the school ban OU Students for Justice in Palestine from campus.

The letter noted that Students for Justice in Palestine has been suspended from several U.S. college campuses for disruption, antisemitic harassment, civil-rights violations, and the incitement of violence and terrorism. The schools that have banned Students for Justice in Palestine include Columbia University, George Washington University, Brandeis University, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, the University of Florida, the University of South Florida, and the University of Vermont.

Oklahoma’s congressional delegation stands with Israel

As Oklahoma universities grapple with potential pro-Hamas student radicalism, members of Oklahoma’s congressional delegation have voiced unequivocal support for Israel.

In an Oct. 7 statement, U.S. Rep. Josh Brecheen, R-Coalgate, said, “One year ago today, we lost 1,200 innocent lives at the hands of Hamas terrorists. Many of these victims, who were raped and murdered, included women, the elderly, children, and even babies. Hamas terrorists took more than 250 hostages—97 of these hostages remain unaccounted for, including four Americans. America must continue to work to free the remaining hostages and get them home safely.

“I pray for the victims and their families and hope that one day they can find peace,” Brecheen continued. “October 7th is a day we will never forget and is a day that can never happen again. As Israel’s right to exist continues to be under attack, America must stand with Israel in its right to defend itself against terror.”

U.S. Sen. James Lankford, R-Oklahoma City, and U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, introduced a resolution condemning Iran-backed Hamas for its actions, supporting the forever survival of Israel, and calling for the safe release of American hostages.

“Israel is America’s closest ally in the Middle East and our partner for peace in the region,” Lankford said. “They have faced vicious attacks since their founding in 1948, but in the past year the attacks have reached a level never seen in the last half century of Israel. Terror attacks on the streets, rockets and missiles from all four directions and innocent hostages in Gaza have tested Israel’s strength. But Israel still stands. The United States should stand with Israel in their battle for peace and existence, just as Israel has always stood with us in our battle against terrorism.”

U.S Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Cheyenne, wrote on X, “It’s been almost a year since Israel was attacked by Hamas. As Israel continues to face threats on its very right to exist from all corners, especially Iran, the U.S. must reaffirm our support for them. Israel is a beacon of light in the ME (Middle East). We must not waver in supporting them.”

Similarly, U.S. Rep. Stephanie Bice, R-Oklahoma City, wrote, “A year ago, over 1000 Israelis were brutally killed, and 250 people were taken captive from an invasion by the terrorist organization Hamas. A year later, Hamas is still holding innocent hostages from this horrible attack. Bring them home.”

U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Tulsa, issued a statement declaring, “One year ago, Israel woke up to the deadliest attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust. Hamas launched a barrage of rockets, militants stormed the border, and paragliders descended on a music festival, attacking civilians, and leaving unimaginable horror in their wake. In the aftermath, American cities and college campuses became platforms for those sympathizing with terrorists and spreading antisemitic hate. But those who wish for Israel’s destruction will never succeed.”

[For more stories about higher education in Oklahoma, visit AimHigherOK.com.]