A Florida State University student has been banned from campus after a video showed her pushing and cursing at a Jewish student who wore an “Israel Defense Forces” T-shirt.
The university said the incident is under investigation, but in the meantime, “the student shown prominently in the video has been prohibited from returning to campus.”
“Florida State University is actively addressing an altercation between two students that has been widely shared on social media,” said the university in a late Thursday statement. “The FSU Police Department has interviewed the students shown in the video. The matter is being reviewed for potential criminal charges and for charges under the FSU Student Code of Conduct.”
The statement was titled “Florida State University Statement on Antisemitic Harassment.”
In the brief video, a female student confronts a male student wearing a T-shirt with the IDF logo in what appears to be a gym, identified by the Tallahassee Democrat newspaper as the Leach Student Recreation Center.
“F—- Israel, free Palestine,” the female student said on the video posted by StopAntisemitism on X as she flipped him off. “Put it on f—-ing Barstool FSU. I really don’t give a f—-. You’re an ignorant f——— son of a b——.”
The woman then lunges at the man and knocks something out of his hand, presumably a cellphone.
StopAntisemitism said the “assault warrants an immediate expulsion,” and Rep. Randy Fine, Florida Republican, agreed.
“As a member of the U.S. House Education and Workforce Committee, I am personally calling @FloridaState to ensure it is done,” said Mr. Fine on X.
Shortly thereafter, Mr. Fine said he contacted the university and that the female student “has been suspended until an expulsion hearing,” commending school officials for their quick action.
“THIS is how you deal with antisemitism. Immediately. And with swift discipline,” said Mr. Fine. “Other universities take note.”
Florida State didn’t release the names or religious affiliations of the students involved, but StopAntisemitism identified the woman as Eden Deckerhoff, a graduate student in social work. The Washington Times has not confirmed her identity.
In its statement, the Tallahassee-based university said it “strongly condemns antisemitism in all forms and follows Florida law, which protects Jewish students and employees from discrimination motivated by antisemitism, harassment, intimidation and violence.”
Florida State’s Hillel chapter said the Jewish student contacted the university administration and law enforcement immediately after the Thursday incident. The university then contacted staff at Hillel, a Jewish organization.
“Earlier today, a Jewish student was verbally harassed with anti-Israel profanities and shoved by a peer while at the on-campus gym,” said Hillel in a statement on Facebook. “This incident was, in part, captured on video by the student targeted, and you may have seen news about it on social media.”
Hillel concluded: “We appreciate the university’s and FSUPD’s quick response to the situation.”
Florida State said its “commitment to swiftly and effectively responding to incidents of hate is unwavering. We appreciate the prompt report of this incident, which allowed us to address this instance of antisemitism without delay.”
Educational institutions have come under pressure from the Trump administration to crack down on campus antisemitism after nearly two years of anti-Israel protests spurred by the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas massacre of Israeli civilians, which prompted Israel to declare war.
• Valerie Richardson can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.