MID-ATLANTIC EDITION

Headlines

Haverford Professor Arrested for Antisemitic Cyberstalking
NYC Mayor Mamdani Faces Backlash for 'Genocide' Remarks
Swarthmore SJP Reposts Video of Israeli Soldier Effigy Burning

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Transcript

You're listening to Antisemitism Watch: Mid-Atlantic edition, I'm Rachel Adler.

A religion professor at Haverford College has been arrested and charged with cyberstalking and antisemitic harassment. According to federal prosecutors, Guangtian Ha allegedly used at least four anonymous X accounts between October 2025 and May 2026 to send approximately 50 threatening messages to a colleague. Court documents detail explicit antisemitic threats, including calling the victim a "Jew pig," urging them to "get the f—k out of my country," and suggesting Jews should be placed in "special camps." Prosecutors also allege Ha posted the victim's home address and details about their family, taunting them after security measures were taken, with messages like "cameras won't help you." Haverford College President Wendy Raymond stated Ha, who was on sabbatical, has been placed on administrative leave and barred from campus, calling the alleged attacks "heinous" and "antisemitic in nature." This arrest follows a federal civil rights lawsuit against Haverford that was settled in August, which had also named Ha and accused the school of hostility toward Jewish students.

In New York City, Mayor Zohran Mamdani has drawn sharp criticism from major Jewish organizations for remarks made on the third anniversary of the October 7th Hamas attacks. While acknowledging the Hamas atrocities, Mamdani stated that the Israeli government presided over an "ongoing genocide in Gaza," citing figures for Palestinian deaths. The Anti-Defamation League, the Union for Reform Judaism, and the Israeli-American Council condemned his statement. ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt accused Mamdani of "weaponizing a day meant for mourning the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust to recycle your usual antizionist talking points." Rabbi Rick Jacobs of the Union for Reform Judaism stated Mamdani's comments "makes Jewish New Yorkers less safe." A protest organized by activist groups was also held outside New York City Hall, marking the first anti-Zionist demonstration specifically targeting Mamdani.

On the campus front, Swarthmore College has dealt with a controversy involving its Students for Justice in Palestine chapter. According to reporting, the Swarthmore SJP account reposted an Instagram video depicting an effigy of an Israeli soldier being burned, referencing Hamas's October 7 operation and promoting a protest. Swarthmore College stated the video appears to have originated with a Philadelphia-based group. The college previously condemned its SJP chapter in October 2024 and revoked its official affiliation in 2025, prohibiting access to college funds and resources.

In community responses, Philadelphia Jewish organizations have condemned a demonstration planned for Rittenhouse Square, describing it as an event meant to celebrate the Hamas attacks on October 7th. Social media posts for the event used phrases like "Long Live Al Aqsa Flood." Local Jewish leaders expressed concern, and the ADL and Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia condemned the demonstration. Police were expected to have a presence. Reflecting on the broader impact of October 7th, the AJC noted in a New York Daily News column that the attacks continue to resonate deeply, drawing parallels to the fear felt after 9/11, and citing data that shows a significant percentage of American Jews have altered their behavior out of fear of antisemitism, while also highlighting Jewish resilience and continued vibrancy.

I'm Rachel Adler, thank you for listening to Antisemitism Watch: Mid-Atlantic edition.

For broader coverage of antisemitism across the United States and around the world, listen to Antisemitism Watch at clockwork media dot org slash A W.

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This report was generated with AI assistance and may contain inaccuracies. Please verify important details with primary sources.

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Sources:
- JTA: https://www.jta.org/2026/10/07/united-states/haverford-professor-accused-of-threatening-stalking-jewish-person-online
- cbsnews.com: https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/guangtian-ha-haverford-college-professor-antisemitic-messages/
- jewishjournal.com: https://jewishjournal.com/commentary/columnist/392920/oct-7-haunts-the-campus/
- jewishexponent.com: https://www.jewishexponent.com/swarthmore-students-for-justice-in-palestine-reposts-video-of-burning-mannequin-in-idf-uniform/
- audacy.com: https://www.audacy.com/kywnewsradio/news/local/haverford-college-professor-antisemitic-harassment
- jewishexponent.com: https://www.jewishexponent.com/haverford-president-heartbroken-furious-by-alleged-jew-hatred-as-professor-arrested-for-online-harassment/
- phillyvoice.com: https://www.phillyvoice.com/haverford-college-professor-antisemitism-online-threats/
- nbcphiladelphia.com: https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/haverford-college-charged-for-online-harassment-and-intimidation-school-says/4475414/
- JTA: https://www.jta.org/2026/10/07/ny/mamdani-pays-tribute-to-israelis-palestinians-on-third-anniversary-of-hamas-attacks-on-oct-7
- Algemeiner: https://www.algemeiner.com/2026/10/07/mamdani-ignites-outrage-accusing-israel-genocide-oct-7-anniversary-statement/
- timesofisrael.com: https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/blood-on-your-hands-anti-zionist-protesters-rail-against-mamdani-outside-new-york-city-hall/
- nytimes.com: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/07/us/haverford-professor-arrest-death-threats.html
- abc7ny.com: https://abc7ny.com/post/haverford-college-professor-charged-online-harassment-case/19916006/
- AJC: https://www.ajc.org/news/a-jewish-new-yorker-three-years-after-107
- 6abc.com: https://6abc.com/post/philadelphia-jewish-organizations-condemn-planned-oct-7-demonstration-rittenhouse-square/19918492/

If you've witnessed or experienced an antisemitic incident, report it to your local Jewish Federation:

In a true emergency, call 911 first.

• Middlesex & Monmouth, NJ — Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey: Report an incident

• Greater MetroWest, NJ (Essex, Morris, Union, Somerset) — Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ: Report an incident

• Northern NJ (Bergen, Hudson, Passaic) — Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey: Report an incident

• Greater Philadelphia — Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia: Report an incident

• NYC, Long Island, Westchester & Rockland — UJA-Federation of New York: Responding to antisemitism