MILWAUKEE — The chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Mark A. Mone, released a statement Tuesday condemning antisemitism, after being criticized for a deal made with pro-Palestinian student protesters. 

Some Jewish community leaders and students at UW-Milwaukee said they were angry about the deal university leadership made with protesters, who camped out on campus for two weeks.

Rabbi Joshua Herman, executive director of Hillel Milwaukee, said Mone rewarded protesters who broke state law, while alienating Jewish students and alumni.

“The chancellor capitulated to all the protesters’ demands and did so while adopting their really offensive and false narratives and rhetoric,” said Herman. “Additionally, he did all of this without really making any concerted effort to meet with Jewish students. The chancellor has an obligation to really acknowledge the rights of all of the students at UWM, and not simply those who break the law and make the most noise.”

Tuesday’s statement from Mone read, in part:

“It is clear to me that UWM should not have weighed in on deeply complex geopolitical and historical issues. And for that, I apologize. I acknowledge that it is an increasingly difficult time for many Jewish students at UWM and across America. I’ve also heard that some students have not felt comfortable reporting their concerns or experiences. This distresses me. The expressions of grief and frustration over the conflict in the Middle East must not destabilize our shared sense of humanity or be twisted into a platform to spread hatred. 

“Let me be clear: UWM resolutely condemns antisemitism, just as we do Islamophobia and all other forms of hatred. Our campus must be a place that welcomes all students and the full expression of their history, culture, identity and ethnicity. But words alone cannot create the culture of inclusion we desire, which is why we must transform our words into commitment and action. This work will take time, as all hard work does, and it will also take the openness of our entire community.”

Jay Rothman, the president of the Universities of Wisconsin took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to show support for Mone’s statement.

“I appreciate that the chancellor reassessed his approach at UW-Milwaukee regarding the illegal encampments and issued a statement reflecting his apology,” he said in a post.

Read Mone’s statement, here. 

Kelly Milan contributed to this report.