Angela Zito

Angela Zito, an associate professor in the Department of Arts & Science at New York University (NYU), has used her platform to align with anti-Israel narratives and support faculty activism that undermines Jewish safety on campus. Rather than condemning Hamas terrorism after the October 7, 2023 massacre, Zito signed onto statements that shifted blame onto Israel and legitimized disruptive encampments that targeted Jewish students.

Endorsing Anti-Israel Activism During Wartime

On May 8, 2024, Zito signed a public letter accusing Israel of “genocide” during its war against Hamas. This came in the wake of Hamas’s October 7 atrocities, when terrorists murdered over 1,200 Israelis, injured thousands more, and kidnapped hundreds of civilians. The letter ignored those crimes and instead vilified Israel while expressing solidarity with campus encampments that had become breeding grounds for antisemitic rhetoric and intimidation.

Support for BDS and Encampments

The same letter also promoted elements of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, a campaign that delegitimizes Israel’s existence and fuels campus polarization. By signing, Zito gave academic cover to encampments across U.S. universities that disrupted campus life and fostered an unsafe climate for Jewish students.

Conclusion

Angela Zito’s decision to publicly accuse Israel of “genocide” and endorse BDS-aligned campus protests illustrates how faculty activism can normalize antisemitism under the banner of “solidarity.” At NYU, her stance raises serious concerns about the responsibility of educators in shaping a campus climate that protects all students—rather than excusing rhetoric that endangers Jewish communities.