INNA VERNIKOV A WARRIOR AGAINST ANTISEMITISM

JOSEPH BITTON

COUNCILWOMAN INNA VERNIKOV IS ON A MISSION TO COMBAT ANTISEMITISM WITHIN THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK (CUNY). HER BACKGROUND AS A YESHIVAH STUDENT COUPLED WITH HER LEGAL EXPERTISE AS AN ATTORNEY, FORGED A FORMIDABLE ADVOCATE IN THE STRUGGLE AGAINST ANTISEMITISM AND ANTI-ZIONISM.

We all know how antisemitism has infested the halls of CUNY campuses in the last decade or so. This is why the councilwoman was very vocal in her response to an incident at the CUNY School of Law. When CUNY law faculty unanimously endorsed a BDS resolution, and an antisemitic commencement speaker was invited, Councilwoman Vernikov took immediate action by defunding CUNY law school by $50,000. This move sent a clear message that she would not tolerate anti-Jewish sentiments within the institution. More recently, when a second antisemitic speaker was invited, she called upon the New York State Bar to reject admitting her as an attorney in New York, citing her clear and unacceptable antisemitic and anti-American views.

The councilwoman’s commitment to fighting antisemitism at CUNY was again on display when CUNY hired Marc Lamont Hill, a figure who had been fired even by CNN due to his antisemitic statements and affiliations. Hill has supported notorious antisemite Louis Farrakhan in the past, and called for Palestine to be free “from the river to the sea”, a phrase often used by Hamas. At a protest led by Councilwoman Vernikov, she asked a poignant question: “Would CUNY allow notorious antisemite and white-supremacist David Duke to speak at a law school graduation? Never. Would the City University of New York hire David Duke to be a professor? Never.” By drawing a parallel between Marc Lamont Hill and David Duke, she underscored the importance of holding individuals with a history of hate accountable for their actions, and showed that antisemitism from the Left won’t be tolerated anymore than antisemitism from the Far-Right.

Last year, Ms. Vernikov spearheaded an unprecedented hearing in city hall that shed light on the alarming issue of antisemitism within the CUNY community that is tolerated because it is coming from the extreme Left. The hearing served as a critical platform for exposing the challenges faced by Jewish students, faculty, and staff. Finally, Jewish students and staff know that someone is determined to bring about substantial change and ensure that CUNY’s commitment to “diversity, equity, and inclusion” extends to Jewish students.

Another initiative championed by Councilwoman Vernikov was the expansion of the Israel student exchange program. By broadening the horizons of educational opportunities, she aimed to foster greater cultural understanding and empathy among students.

Additionally, she pushed for CUNY to allocate funding to support the fight against antisemitism at their colleges, ensuring that resources were available to combat the scourge of antisemitism that has reared its ugly head in Progressive institutions. After the hearing, CUNY allocated $750, 000 to antisemitism training.

And one of the more significant changes implemented, was a portal created where CUNY students can submit complaints of discrimination.

Inna Vernikov’s work did not stop at the implementation of these changes. She has been working to ensure that the measures taken at the first hearing are being executed effectively. This is why she is currently actively involved in organizing a second hearing focused on the rising antisemitism at CUNY. Her aim is to ensure that the promises made are not just a formality, but a tool for change, where grievances are reviewed and investigated in a timely and judicious manner. She recognizes that merely implementing measures is not enough; they must be enforced rigorously to make a real difference.

Inna Vernikov is also advocating for a different hiring process at CUNY, one that ensures candidates with pro-Israel views are not unfairly skipped over due to their beliefs. The same extends to the selection of commencement speakers at CUNY. She is determined to make sure that graduation speeches do not incite violence, that CUNY is a free marketplace of ideas, a safe space for conservative voices, by safeguarding the integrity and values of the institution.

Inna Vernikov’s efforts to combat antisemitism at CUNY are a testament to her dedication to her constituents. And while the challenges of eradicating antisemitism are formidable, Inna Vernikov’s positive and determined approach serves as an inspiration. When individuals with a genuine passion for justice take a stand, change is possible.

Paid for by Friends of Inna Vernikov

Joseph Bitton is a Brooklyn activist who supports conservative values.