Barnard ‘poisoned’ by ‘DEI propaganda,’ says influencer who uncovered anti-Israel sentiment on campus

Pro-Israel influencer Zach Sage Fox recently conducted an undercover operation near Barnard College in New York City, where he posed as an antisemite to gauge students’ opinions on the Israel-Hamas conflict and Jews. Fox, who did not enter the campus but spoke with students in the surrounding area, described the experience as “shocking.” In a video that has garnered over 24,000 likes on Instagram, Fox captured students sharing their unfiltered andoften antisemitic views. He noted that the students were uninhibited in expressing their support for antisemitism, saying, “Jews have just become target number one at this school.” Fox’s findings have raised concerns about the growing hostility toward Jewish students and the normalization of antisemitic rhetoric on college campuses.

In the video, Fox disguised himself as “Ben Klein,” a British student, wearing a pro-Palestinian shirt, a keffiyeh, a COVID face mask, and a nose ring. Despite his concern that the outfit made him “look like a narc,” he was surprised by how many students took him at face value and openly shared their views. One of the most disturbing moments came when a Barnard student, who claimed to study human rights and economics, argued that there was “nuance in terrorism.” When pressed further, she even suggested there could be “nuance to rape” if used as a weapon of resistance, referencing the October 7, 2023, attacks. Fox expressed his astonishment at her stance, particularly given her self-identification as “queer for Palestine,” despite the fact that Hamas, the group she seemed to support, actively persecutes LGBTQ+ individuals.

Fox also encountered students who openly expressed sympathy for Hamas. One unidentified female student admitted that there were “students who are more sympathetic to Hamas” on campus. Fox interpreted these interactions as evidence that anti-Israel students “don’t actually want to free Palestine from Hamas” but are instead driven by a broader anti-Semitic agenda. He emphasized that his undercover operation revealed a troubling trend of intellectual dishonesty and moral relativism among some students, particularly when it comes to justifying violence against Jews.

In addition to speaking with anti-Israel students, Fox also engaged with Jewish students during his undercover operation. One Jewish student featured in the video expressed feelings of unsafety at Columbia, citing the pervasive influence of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Fox himself criticized DEI programs, arguing that they “intellectually poison students” by promoting a narrative that frames Jews as “White colonizers.” He called for the dismantling of DEI initiatives, praising the Trump administration’s efforts to remove such programs from the federal government. Fox admitted that his views on DEI had shifted significantly following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, stating that he had previously underestimated the harm these initiatives could cause.

Fox also proposed a unique solution to address the rise of anti-Israel demonstrations on campuses: banning face masks, with exceptions for medical purposes. He argued that removing the anonymity provided by masks would help prevent the disruptive and sometimes violent protests that have become common at universities. Fox believes that such measures, combined with the elimination of DEI programs, could help restore intellectual freedom and reduce antisemitism on campus.

In conclusion, Zach Sage Fox’s undercover investigation near Barnard College highlights the alarming rise of antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment among some students. His findings underscore the need for greater awareness and action to address the normalization of antisemitic rhetoric and the role of DEI initiatives in shaping these attitudes. Fox’s video serves as a wake-up call for parents, educators, and policymakers to take a closer look at the environment on college campuses and work toward creating a more inclusive and intellectually honest space for all students.