Finally, an antisemitic act that University of Virginia authorities could forcefully condemn!

The McIntire School of Commerce’s Rouss Hall showcases flags representing the home countries of students past and present. One of them is an Israeli flag. On Friday someone vandalized the flag with the statement, “Where is Palestine.”

McIntire Dean Nicole Thorne Jenkins said the incident is being treated as an instance of antisemitism. “Questions about the showcase of flags are welcome; however, this was an act of vandalism. Vandalism is not protected speech: it is criminal conduct.”

“This act of antisemitism is antithetical to the values and norms of the McIntire School and the University as a whole,” said Provost Ian Baucom and President Jim Ryan in a joint statement. “As we all begin another year together on Grounds, we want to make it as clear as possible that while we are committed to free expression, vandalism is not protected speech. Like bigotry and harassment of any kind, it has no place at the University.”

Not a hint of moral ambiguity. Good.

I can’t help but wonder, though, what the reaction would have been if someone had defaced the American flag.

— JAB