MEAWW.COM / NEWS / HUMAN INTEREST

Who is Stephen Berk? Jewish professor criticizes college's response to student Ayah Osman's remarks about Israel supporters

Professor Stephen Berk found himself in a clash with student Ayah Osman because of her inflammatory comment about Israeli fundraiser attendees

SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK: Renowned scholar and professor of Holocaust and Jewish Studies, Stephen Berk, is at the center of a heated controversy involving a student's inflammatory comment about Israel supporters.

The incident took place at Union College, a prestigious private liberal arts institution in Schenectady, New York, as per Daily Mail.

Fiery exchange between Stephen Berk and Ayah Osman on campus

Berk, 83, has accused the college of failing to support him after a junior student, Ayah Osman, made a contentious statement on Instagram, claiming that anyone attending a bingo night fundraiser for Israeli terror victims would have a "free guaranteed spot in hell."

The tension escalated when Professor Berk confronted Osman, asking her to clarify her derogatory statement. To Berk's astonishment, Osman stood her ground, responding with an unequivocal "I do."

The exchange was marked by a stark difference of opinions and an escalating emotional confrontation.

Union College President's response to controversy surrounding Ayah Osman

In the aftermath of this heated discourse, Union College's President, David Harris, issued a statement addressing the situation. However, Professor Berk felt that the statement threw him under the bus.

The president stated, "We do not condone the student's words. We also do not condone the manner in which this student was confronted in a public setting, nor how she has been portrayed in social or traditional media."

Berk expressed his shock at the college administration's response, particularly the Vice President of Academic Affairs, who was present in the audience during the confrontation.

Berk lamented that the administration conflated his actions with those of the student, disapproving of both responses, thereby leaving him feeling unsupported.

In his criticism of Union College, despite acknowledging it as "one of the best liberal arts colleges in the United States," Berk asserted that something is amiss on campus.

He suggested that administrators had taken their eyes off the ball, allowing an environment of growing anti-Israeli sentiment at the school.

Ayah Osman faced petition demanding her expulsion from Union College

The video footage of the exchange between Berk and Osman was shared on social media platforms, including X (formerly known as Twitter), further fueling the controversy.

In the video, Osman addressed Berk, beginning with a defensive tone: "Professor, you called me a disgrace, but I think it's very important to note how irresponsible it was of you and this group of people, many of whom don't have access to what I said, to completely misrepresent what I said. I never said that all Jewish people should go to hell. And I would never, ever say that."

Berk rebutted Osman's statement, reminding her of her initial comment: "I said that what you said is that people who attended that rally should burn in hell. Do you stand by that?"

Osman replied unequivocally, "I do."

Osman's initial Instagram post, which referenced a poster for a bingo fundraiser for Israeli victims of terror, read, "They forgot to mention this on the poster, but don't worry if you don't win anything because everybody who attends this event is getting a free guaranteed spot in hell." She accompanied her inflammatory words with a party face emoji.

As a result of the controversy, Osman faced fierce backlash, including a petition demanding her expulsion from the university for "antisemitic behavior." The petition garnered support from 5,354 individuals before being closed.

During an appearance on Fox News with host Brian Kilmeade, Professor Berk emphasized his commitment to standing up for what he believes is right, asserting that Israel was justified in its actions.

He called on people not to fear bigotry and to remain courageous, especially in the United States, where freedom of expression and diverse perspectives should be cherished.