Rutgers University announced that it is reviewing the “matter” of a professor who posted a series of anti-Semitic posts on social media. Michael Chikindas, a microbiology professor at Rutgers” department of food science and director of the university”s Center for Digestive Health, posted dozens of anti-Semitic conspiracy theories blaming Jews and Israel for many of the…
StandWithUs strongly condemns the blatant anti-Semitism and homophobia posted by Rutgers University Professor Michael L. Chikindas on social media Chikindas is a professor in Rutgers’ Department of Food Science.
According to various news sources Chikindas uploaded a series of overtly anti-Semitic statements last May, which only now have come to light. In one post he declared, “These jewish (sic) motherf****ers do not control me. They can go and f*** each other in their fat arses.” In another post he blamed the Armenian Genocide on Jews: “We must not forget that the Armenian Genocide was orchestrated by the Turkish Jews who pretended to be the Turks.”
He also posted many anti-Semitic cartoons favored by the white supremacists called the “Happy Merchant,” which is a caricature of a kippa-wearing, hook-nosed Jew. The caricatures Chikindas uploaded claim Jews control everything from the Federal Reserve to Hollywood and “pornography” and “sex-trafficking.” Chikindas also proclaimed his support for the anti-Israel boycott movement, announcing, “I am very proud (sic) saying that I ignore all of the Israel’s academia requests to assist them professionally.”
He also disparaged LGBTQ people. He wrote Israel is “failing” its “aim” of a “genocidal extermination” of Palestinians “because of the number of the Jews of ‘alternative’ sexual orientation (25% of the Tel Aviv inhabitants are gay/lesbians and Israel has more of these than the Netherlands).”
Rutgers spokesperson Neal Buccino said Chikindas’ posts are “antithetical to our university’s principles and values of respect for people of all backgrounds, including, among other groups, our large and vibrant Jewish community.” He added that the university is investigating to see if the professor violated university policy.
“StandWithUs applauds the Rutgers administration for strongly condemning this bigotry,” said Roz Rothstein, CEO of StandWithUs. “We urge them to do everything in their power to hold this professor accountable for his hate speech against the Jewish and LGBTQ communities.”
StandWithUs will continue to work with our partners at Rutgers Hillel to support Jewish and pro-Israel students on campus.