My name is Yoel Ackerman. I am a Rutgers Law School Student, the only Yarmulka wearing 1LE, and I would like to share my story with you and the world. On October 12, a mere 5 days after Hamas invaded Israel and killed and captured many Jews, a Palestinian student at my school began to spread propaganda. He shared an Instagram video in the student bar association group, which I am also a part of. The video explained that Hamas really did not murder any jews. Nor did they rape Jewish women or behead babies. The video went on to explain that Israel “staged” everything. Shocked at what I was seeing, I asked this individual why he shared this video in an SBA chat if it had zero to do with the SBA or Rutgers University. He proudly responded, “I am just clearing up some information about Palestine.” He proceeded to explain that he also shared this video in several other group chats. Simultaneously, the Rutgers University Group ” Students for Justice in Palestine” was planning a “Day of Resistance” in and around my college campus. Additionally, there were media reports of a “global day of rage” planned for Friday October 13, 2023. In fact, scared for my safety and my children’s safety, I kept my children home from school on Friday. There was an email which came from the Rutgers Law Jewish email list which informed the students to be careful and be vigilant. The email also stated to “take screenshots” and “make records.” As such, I responded to the email with a screenshot of the Palestinian student who was parading around the propaganda anti-Israel video. I wrote, “I am taking receipts of the law school students who are publicly supporting Hamas.” What occurred next has been unbearable for me. An employee from Rutgers University called me and informed me that I was under investigation for violating school conduct policy in connection with my email message to the Jewish group. I have been accused of Defamation and Disorderly conduct. On October 23, 2023, I was told that I had to meet with an “investigator” from Rutgers. I was told that I would be provided a “campus advisor” but that the advisor would only be allowed to listen to my meeting with the investigator but was not allowed to speak. Then, at the last minute, the rug was pulled out from under my feet. Rutgers informed me that they were not allowing the campus advisor as she was also an advisor to the Jewish campus group and this would be unfair to the Palestinian student who complained about me. I asked Rutgers to push off this meeting due to their last minute tactics. Rutgers refused and demanded that I meet with the investigator. At this interrogation, I explained that there was a “day of rage” planned and that the reason why I shared a screenshot of this Palestinian student was to protect others from the planned day of rage. The Rutgers investigator then proceeded to tell me that really it was only a “day of resistance” and not a “day of rage.” No big deal. I was patronized for nearly an hour. Simultaneously I received an email from the SBA president which read: “Hello Yoel, I am reaching out to […]