Pro-Israel Influencer Zach Sage Fox Exposes Alleged Antisemitism Near Barnard College
Zach Sage Fox, a well-known pro-Israel influencer, recently conducted an undercover operation near Barnard College in New York City, aiming to uncover the sentiments of students regarding the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and their views on Jewish people. Fox, who has gained a following for his pro-Israel advocacy, ventured into what he perceived as hostile territory, disguising himself to engage with students and elicit their unfiltered opinions.
Fox did not enter the Barnard College campus directly, but he strategically positioned himself in the surrounding area to interact with students. The results, according to Fox, were alarming and revealed a concerning level of antisemitism among some of the students he encountered.
The video documenting Fox’s undercover interactions has garnered significant attention online, amassing over 24,000 likes on Instagram. Fox claims that the video offers a glimpse into the true feelings of these students, stripped of the political correctness often associated with public discourse on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
"It was just shocking how much I uncovered in such a small period of time," Fox told Fox News Digital. He emphasized that the students he spoke with seemed remarkably comfortable expressing antisemitic views, even after only brief introductions. Fox asserted that his interactions suggest that "Jews have just become target number one at this school."
To carry out his undercover operation, Fox adopted the persona of "Ben Klein," a British student with pro-Palestinian sympathies. His disguise included a pro-Palestinian shirt, a keffiyeh, a COVID face mask, and a nose ring. Fox acknowledged that his costume might have made him appear like an informant, yet he was surprised by how readily students accepted him as a genuine anti-Israel activist.
One of the most controversial moments in the video involves a Barnard student who identified herself as studying human rights and economics. This student stated that there is "nuance in terrorism," arguing that the term is often used without proper consideration of its meaning. Later in the video, she seemingly agreed with the suggestion that there could be "nuance to rape" if it is used as a weapon of "resistance," referencing the sexual assaults that occurred during the October 7, 2023 attacks.
Fox expressed his dismay at this student’s apparent willingness to justify or rationalize acts of terrorism and sexual violence. He also criticized her self-identification as "queer for Palestine," questioning how she could support a movement that actively persecutes LGBTQ+ individuals.
Fox argued that many anti-Israel students "don’t actually want to free Palestine from Hamas." He claimed to have encountered individuals near the Ivy League campus who openly supported Hamas, the militant group controlling the Gaza Strip. In the video, an unidentified female student is quoted as saying that there are "students who are more sympathetic to Hamas."
In addition to engaging with anti-Israel students, Fox also spoke with Jewish students who expressed concerns about their safety and well-being on campus. One student featured in the video stated that he felt unsafe at Columbia University, which is affiliated with Barnard College. Fox believes that Barnard College, being a women’s institution, is particularly susceptible to "DEI propaganda" that has transformed Jews into a "White colonizer class."
Fox is a vocal critic of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, arguing that they "intellectually poison students." He praised the Trump administration’s efforts to eliminate DEI programs from the federal government. Fox admitted that his views on DEI have evolved since the October 7 attacks, acknowledging that he previously underestimated the potential harm of these initiatives. "It is such a disservice to intellectual thinking and free thinking," Fox stated.
Beyond ending DEI initiatives, Fox also advocates for mask bans on college campuses, with exceptions for medical reasons. He believes that removing masks would deter disruptive anti-Israel demonstrations and campus takeovers that have become prevalent over the past year and a half. He argues that masks provide anonymity and embolden protesters to engage in disruptive behavior without fear of identification.
The article paints a picture of heightened tensions and polarization on college campuses, particularly surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Fox’s undercover operation and subsequent claims have ignited further debate about the prevalence of antisemitism, the role of DEI initiatives, and the balance between free speech and campus safety. The debate is likely to continue as both sides present their arguments.
