Jacob Remes, a professor at New York University, has built his academic persona around the systematic demonization of Zionism, the delegitimization of Jewish statehood, and the defense of extremist figures and movements. Operating under the cover of social justice and historical inquiry, Remes has promoted a toxic ideology that justifies terrorism, spreads antisemitic rhetoric, and targets Jewish students and communities on campus.
His presence at NYU—and participation in one of the most notorious pro-Hamas encampments in recent U.S. history—marks him as a dangerous ideological actor whose influence extends well beyond the classroom.
Promoting Antisemitic Rhetoric and Demonizing Zionism
Remes’s public statements reveal a long-standing pattern of antisemitic thinking disguised as anti-Zionist critique. Rather than engaging in balanced discourse, Remes has repeatedly claimed that Zionism itself endangers Jews, painting Israel and its supporters as the root cause of antisemitism—an inversion of reality that fuels hate instead of addressing it.
His rhetoric doesn’t merely criticize Israeli policy; it seeks to delegitimize Jewish identity, safety, and sovereignty.
- March 4, 2019: Claimed that Zionists “collaborate with white supremacists” and make diaspora Jews less safe.
- February 16, 2017: Stated that Zionist Jews “want diaspora Jews to be unsafe” in order to justify Israel’s existence.
- December 5, 2016: Suggested that supporting Israel aids “real, serious antisemites.”
- July 2, 2014: Argued that “Israel encourages antisemitism.”
These statements reverse the truth—blaming Jews for the hatred they face—and contribute to a climate of hostility on campus for Jewish students.
Advocating for the Destruction of the Jewish State
Remes’s extremism goes far beyond criticism of Israeli policies. He has openly rejected Israel’s right to exist in any form and has actively worked to isolate and dismantle it through boycott campaigns and false moral equivalences.
- April 4, 2018: Stated he “recoils” from Israel’s values and questioned its legitimacy as a country.
- August 14, 2017: Declared his opposition to any form of a Jewish state.
- July 9, 2017: Encouraged the Jewish diaspora to “turn its back on Israel.”
- August 16, 2016: Compared Israel to Nazi Germany—a grotesque historical distortion.
- August 1, 2014: Claimed that “violent vigilante racism” is “baked into” Israel’s structure.
By reducing Jewish self-determination to a crime and equating it with fascism, Remes erases centuries of Jewish history and invites persecution.
Supporting Extremist Movements
Remes has aligned himself with some of the most radical figures and campaigns in the anti-Israel ecosystem. His advocacy for the BDS movement, defense of known extremists, and consistent calls to end U.S. support for Israel position him as a direct enabler of pro-terror ideology in academia.
- April 2024: Participated in the pro-Hamas Columbia encampment, a movement that justified the October 7 massacre of Israeli civilians and promotes rhetoric aligned with US-designated terrorist organizations.
- 2014: Publicly supported Steven Salaita, who had celebrated the kidnapping and murder of Israeli teens by Hamas.
- 2019: Defended Ilhan Omar, despite her history of antisemitic statements.
- 2014: Signed a letter demanding the suspension of U.S. military aid to Israel as it defended itself from Hamas rocket attacks.
These positions are not acts of free thought—they are acts of alignment with those who promote or excuse terror.
Participation in the Columbia Encampment: Endorsing a Movement Fueled by Hate
In April 2024, Remes was photographed participating in the Columbia University encampment—a pro-Hamas protest that quickly devolved into a national scandal for its violent antisemitism, calls to “globalize the intifada,” and open glorification of terrorism.
The encampment was organized by Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP)—groups with documented histories of defending Hamas and Hezbollah.
- A JFREJ post praised Remes and others for visiting the encampment: “JFREJ members visited the Palestine solidarity encampments at Columbia/Barnard and NYU to show love and support to these courageous students… #LetGazaLive #CeasefireNow #FreePalestine.”
- This “solidarity” movement came after the October 7 massacre, where 1,200 Israeli civilians were brutally murdered by Hamas—through mass shootings, rape, torture, and abduction.
- The Columbia encampment became notorious for violent antisemitic incidents, including Jewish students being harassed and university staff held hostage.
Remes’s active participation in such a movement is a disturbing indicator of just how closely he aligns with those who celebrate political violence against Jews.
A Dangerous Force on Campus
Jacob Remes is not a dispassionate academic. He is an ideologue who uses his NYU platform to spread hatred, whitewash terrorism, and promote the erasure of Jewish identity and statehood. His work empowers a new generation of activists to adopt antisemitic frameworks under the illusion of social justice.
- Rhetorically absolves terrorists while blaming Jews for the hatred they endure.
- Legitimizes antisemitism as political critique.
- Encourages radicalism among students, while silencing or excluding Jewish voices.
His presence on campus contributes directly to the growing climate of fear and marginalization experienced by Jewish students across American universities.
Bottom Line: Jacob Remes is not a critic of Israel—he is a promoter of extremism. His public statements, campus activism, and ideological alliances position him as a key academic voice behind the spread of pro-Hamas propaganda and antisemitic frameworks. NYU must confront the threat he poses to campus safety, academic integrity, and Jewish life.