Jewish students threatened as anti-Israel activists target University of Oregon event with former Miss Israel

According to the Jewish News Syndicate, Cochva, who served as a combat medic in the Israel Defense Forces, had been scheduled to speak on Chapman Lawn in Eugene at an event hosted by Oregon Hillel in partnership with StandWithUs and Ducks4Israel.

“The program was designed as an opportunity for all students to engage in one-on-one conversations rooted in listening and learning from one another,” Oregon Hillel said. Organizers said a large group of activists gathered at the site, blocked the reserved space, and chanted slogans calling for Israel’s destruction. Demonstrators also targeted Jewish students and Hillel staff.

“They also directed hostile and intimidating rhetoric toward our speaker, issued death threats toward Jewish students in attendance and singled out specific Oregon Hillel staff members,” organizers said.

Cochva ultimately did not appear on campus due to safety concerns. Campus police monitored the protest and escorted Jewish organizers safely away from the area. The event was later moved off campus.

The disruption came just days after activists targeted a StandWithUs fundraiser featuring Cochva in Seattle. Radicals blocked Jewish attendees from entering and even assaulted some of the guests. The violence led to Cochva cancelling a separate appearance at the University of Washington.

Anti-Israel groups in Oregon, including Students for Justice in Palestine’s University of Oregon chapter, the Eugene Revolutionary Women’s Committee, and the Eugene Revolutionary Study Group organized the protest. After Cochva’s cancellation, the groups celebrated, declaring “victory, victory.”

The groups said Cochva was “not welcome to ‘foster dialogue’” and vowed to continue protesting similar events “until Palestine is free from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea.”

Oregon Hillel called on the university to condemn the protest as “blatant acts of antisemitism and intimidation,” noting that the Hillel building had been placed on lockdown two weeks earlier over what it described as a credible threat against Jewish and black communities on campus.

The University of Oregon said police were present and physical safety was maintained, but acknowledged that protest activity created safety concerns for participants and organizers. “The university has received reports that hostile or threatening language was directed at attendees, specifically members of the Jewish student community,” the school said, adding that officials are reviewing available information, including police body-camera footage.

The university said those found responsible for policy or legal violations will be referred through disciplinary channels.