On Feb. 20, the Student Senate brought in Dr. Yossi Krugler to lecture on modern antisemitism. Krugler is a visiting scholar of the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem.  

Krugler was brought in to talk about the issue of hate spreading throughout colleges. He declared the issue as polarizing and wanted to bring awareness to it.  

“We need to learn that we don’t know everything, that is the first step,” said Krugler. 

The Senators asked for advice on getting accurate information on the issue. Krugler answered that talking with people involved in the issue and hearing both sides could provide a more accurate answer.  

Krugler announced that he will also be talking to classes at AU about antisemitism to spread awareness.  

He continued his conversation on Feb. 21 in Dr. Jones classes from 10 to 10:50 a.m. and 11 to 11:50 a.m. Anyone interested in hearing more is invited.  

In Dr. Jones classes he explained the history and modernization of antisemitism and anti-Zionism.  

The reason spreading awareness is important to him is that other schools and students have been protesting about this issue, but they don’t understand what they are protesting about. 

“They don’t know what river they are protesting about or what sea,” said Krugler on the Palestinian slogan, “From the River to the Sea,” 

Antisemitism modernized created a general intolerance to Judaism and the people with that religion.  

Krugler explained that Anti-Zionism and Anti-Semitism are not necessarily the same but they are when extreme hatred towards Zionism depicts it as the evilest force in the world, when it’s involved with conspiracy theories and involves antisemitism tropes.  

“Ashland University has been taking the first step towards awareness,” said Kruger.  

Student senate meetings are hosted in the ABCD conference room in the Hawkins-Conard Student Center every Tuesday at 9:30 p.m.