Cornell Student Sparks Outrage with Antisemitic Remarks

Cornell University investigates a student’s rejection of an internship offer from a Jewish-owned startup due to antisemitic reasons. Austin Franco, a student, declined an internship interview with the New York-based company VryfID, citing the Jewish ownership as the cause.

The founders of VryfID, Gabe and Aiden Einhorn, shared that their company connects renters with landlords and aims to prevent fraud. Aiden wrote to Franco expressing interest in discussing the company’s vision and goals but received a discriminatory response.

“Not interested in working for a Jew. Thanks,” Franco reportedly replied.

The issue surfaced after Gabe Einhorn published a screenshot of the exchange. Franco defended his message, suggesting it stemmed from negative experiences with Jewish individuals both offline and online. He expressed that the response to his comment only reinforced his viewpoint.

In response to the incident, Cornell University stated it condemns antisemitism and confirmed that its Office of Civil Rights has begun an investigation. A spokesperson reiterated the institution’s commitment to maintaining a respectful and inclusive environment.

Gabe Einhorn commented on the broader implications of such prejudices, emphasizing the perils of overgeneralizing based on religion or race. He noted the importance of unity and collaboration across diverse backgrounds.

The situation has drawn significant attention, highlighting the ongoing issues of discrimination in academic settings. It underscores the need for educational institutions and families to address and combat deep-rooted hate and bias among youth.