UPenn apologizes for light projections on buildings reading 'from the river to the sea,' 'Zionism is racism'
Phrases projected onto campus buildings include 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,' and 'Zionism is racism'
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The University of Pennsylvania is apologizing after images were shared on social media showing light projections with anti-Israeli messages displayed on campus buildings.
University officials say that police are conducting an investigation into the incident, which they characterized as "vile" and "antisemitic."
"Last night, vile, antisemitic messages were projected onto several campus buildings, including Penn Commons, Huntsman Hall, and Irvine Auditorium. Penn Police were notified and quickly responded, and a full investigation is currently underway," said University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The quad dormitory building on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania is seen in 2011. (John Greim/LightRocket via Getty Images)
She continued, "We will pursue this matter to the fullest extent and take swift action in accordance with our policies."
Phrases including "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" and "Zionism is racism" were projected onto the facade of several buildings on UPenn's campus in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"For generations, too many have masked antisemitism in hostile rhetoric," Magill wrote. "These reprehensible messages are an assault on our values and cause pain and fear for our Jewish community."
Benjamin Franklin sculpture at the University of Pennsylvania is seen in 2011. (John Greim/LightRocket via Getty Images)
She concluded, "Penn has a long and rich history of robust debate about complicated issues of the day. Projecting hateful messages on our campus is not debate, it is cowardice, and it has no place at Penn."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Magill made the comments via social media in collaboration with UPenn's official Instagram account.
The anti-Israel messaging also took shots at the university itself, including the phrase "Penn funds Palestinian genocide."
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Magill emailed the campus community on Monday advising them that university staff members received "disturbing antisemitic emails" "threatening violence" against its Jewish community.
The messages included "hateful language" and targeted "the personal identities of the recipients."
Magill has faced calls from several university donors to resign for not doing enough to combat antisemitism on campus.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Fox News Digital's Joe Schoffstall contributed to this report.