Jewish DePaul Student and IDF Reservist Share Concerns about Safety Following Alleged Hate Crime on Campus

CHICAGO (WLS) — Max Long flew to Israel to pay his respects to two fallen IDF colleagues. He informed the ABC7 I-Team that he had to withdraw from a class at DePaul University because a pro-Palestinian group distributed flyers specifically targeting him.

The flyer, named “Behind Enemy Lines,” accuses Long, an IDF soldier and DePaul student, of genocide and challenges their campus ban. Following an attack in early November labeled as a hate crime by Chicago police, Long, along with another Jewish student, Michael Kaminsky, faced aggression from two masked individuals. Long continues to cope with the effects of a concussion resulting from the assault.

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“I’m collaborating with DePaul to determine the best course of action to enable my safe return to school,” Long shared with the I-Team.

Behind Enemy Lines, the same group that provoked a skirmish with Chicago police outside of the Israeli Consulate during the Democratic National Convention, has been banned from the DePaul campus.

Without a clear plan from DePaul for his safety, Long says his education is undermined.

“I have no choice but to either go to class or fail. So I decided to drop the class that was only in person,” Long said. “I can’t feel safe walking through that space.”

READ MORE | Jewish DePaul students speak out after antisemitic attack on campus: ‘Traumatic experience’

Long’s attorney, Gerard Filitti, said the university is taking steps to resolve safety issues.

“We’re still talking about the exact parameters, but they are taking active steps with their public safety officers,” Filitti told the I-Team. “I think it’s very important to know what the university knew about safety concerns on campus and how they took action or failed to take action.”

Long, who was in Israel on October 7, 2023, said his outreach work was done to humanize soldiers. He learned of the ceasefire deal while back in Israel.

“Everyone here is cautiously hopeful,” Long said.

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He said he hopes to expand the outreach work of reserve IDF soldiers nationwide.

“We’re calling them ambassadors, and we’re actually sending those people around to different communities to share their story,” Long said. “I’m hopeful that the university understands the severity of this… the attackers have not been caught.”

Chicago police told the I-Team they are still investigating. DePaul and Behind Enemy Lines have not responded to requests for comment.