News Summary
A law professor at the University of Kentucky is under investigation for creating an online petition that calls for the destruction of Israel. Ramsi Woodcock has been removed from teaching responsibilities pending review. This action has raised significant concerns among Jewish students and faculty, prompting university officials to implement policies banning links to Woodcock’s personal websites. The incident comes amid rising antisemitism in Kentucky, where legislative efforts have been made to address such issues. The university emphasizes the need to balance academic freedom with campus safety.
Lexington, Kentucky – A law professor at the University of Kentucky (UK) is under investigation for creating an online petition that calls for the destruction of Israel. Ramsi Woodcock has been removed from teaching responsibilities following the university’s announcement on July 18, 2025, regarding the ongoing review of his actions. The petition seeks to compel every country to declare war on Israel until it submits to Palestinian governance.
While university officials have not officially identified Woodcock in their statement, the content of the petition aligns closely with his documented activities on a website he operates titled the “Antizionist Legal Studies Movement.” The website features the petition, which currently solely bears Woodcock’s signature, and promotes an event dubbed “The Inaugural Ending Israel Conference,” scheduled for May 2026. It markets itself as a venue for discussions centered on ceasing the existence of Israel and advocating for Palestinian liberation.
UK’s President Eli Capilouto has been vocal in condemning the views expressed in the petition, labeling them as hateful and not representative of the university’s values. He pointed out that the petition could be seen as antisemitic based on state and federal standards. Following the initiation of an investigation, UK is reportedly working with external legal counsel to expedite their findings regarding the situation.
Capilouto emphasized the university’s responsibility to maintain a secure environment for all faculty and students, noting that expressions which threaten their safety necessitate immediate university action. This stance comes as feelings of insecurity have emerged among Jewish students studying under Woodcock, with reports indicating some feel unsafe expressing their identities in his classes. The Kentucky Jewish Council has further expressed concerns over Woodcock’s past statements which they believe incite violence against Jews.
The Kentucky Senate Majority Caucus has also taken a strong stance, characterizing Woodcock’s statements as incitements to violence rather than academic discourse and identifying them as antisemitic. Both state legislators and the university community have voiced the necessity of protecting Jewish students and faculty from potential harassment linked to Woodcock’s rhetoric.
In response to the situation, the university has prohibited the hosting of the petition or any university-related sites and is implementing a policy to bar links from university resources to any personal sites maintained by faculty members. President Capilouto reiterated the balance that must be struck between ensuring academic freedom and guaranteeing a safe and respectful atmosphere for all members of the community.
This incident surfaces amidst rising tensions in Kentucky regarding antisemitism. A task force formed in Kentucky in 2023 has been addressing escalating antisemitic incidents, which statistics show have doubled from 2022 to 2024. Earlier legislation was passed directing higher education institutions in Kentucky to take firm stances against antisemitism.
Despite these legislative efforts, a broader concern about diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives facing cutbacks in Kentucky has emerged, prompting fears over the implications these changes may have on marginalized groups within university settings. As discussions continue around how to effectively combat antisemitism while not suppressing criticism of Israel, the UK community remains vigilant towards the unfolding investigation and its impact on campus dynamics.
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Additional Resources
- Lex 18 News
- Wikipedia: Antisemitism
- Kentucky.com
- Google Search: antisemitism in Kentucky
- Fox 56 News
- Google Scholar: Antisemitism legislation
- Kentucky.com Politics
- Encyclopedia Britannica: rising antisemitism
- Kentucky Lantern
- Google News: antisemitism education Kentucky
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