A self-described 'anarchist' professor at the University of California, Davis, who authored a menacing online statement directed at pro-Israel individuals has been permitted to remain in her role at the institution. The controversial academic, Jemma DeCristo, published the inflammatory message on social media platform X merely three days following the lethal Hamas assault on Israel in October 2023.
Content of the Controversial Post
In her post, DeCristo explicitly warned that 'Zionist journalists' ought to be fearful for their lives. The message stated: 'One group of people we have easy access to in the US is all these Zionist journalists who spread propaganda & misinformation. They have houses with addresses, kids in school… they can fear their bosses but they should fear us more.' The communication was accompanied by disturbing emojis depicting knives, hatchets, and blood droplets, amplifying its threatening nature.
University Community Reaction and Investigation
The vile publication provoked significant anger and alarm among students, staff, and alumni at the California university. Hundreds of letters were dispatched demanding her immediate dismissal. A comprehensive internal investigation, spanning two years, subsequently highlighted the university's 'inadequate' initial response to her social media activity, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle.
Instead of termination, which many within the university community had advocated for, DeCristo faced censure in June 2025 for her 'tremendously disruptive' post. A censure constitutes a formal condemnation of misconduct, which will now form part of her permanent employment record. UC Davis Chancellor Gary S. May additionally suspended her for the academic quarter in August 2025, resulting in the forfeiture of two months' salary.
Impact on the Jewish Community and Ongoing Fallout
The investigative report from June 2024 underscored the profound distress caused, noting: 'In the course of our interviews, we were struck by the amount of pain people experienced in response to the October 10 post.' Investigators further concluded that her rhetoric 'injured members of the Jewish community, who felt scared, isolated, and angry' to witness such violent and hateful language emanating from a UC Davis professor.
Despite the ensuing public uproar, DeCristo has not taught since the incident and will not return for the forthcoming academic period, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education. She has defended her post as 'satire' and insisted she 'never intended it to be taken seriously.' The professor has steadfastly refused to issue any apology, arguing that doing so would merely 'fuel the right-wing media that was harassing her.'
University's Decision and Broader Implications
While the investigation affirmed that DeCristo's actions caused tangible harm, it determined she 'did not intend' to incite fear, leading the university administration to opt against dismissing her. This decision has sparked considerable criticism. Reuven Taff, a contributor to the SF Chronicle, remarked: 'UC Davis has a choice. It can continue to treat this as an academic “misstep,” or it can act to protect Jewish students and faculty.'
Taff added, 'By retaining DeCristo, the university sends the message that explicit threats against Jews do not rise to the level of misconduct — and are acceptable behavior.' The case continues to raise pressing questions about academic freedom, the boundaries of acceptable speech, and institutional responsibility in addressing threats within university communities.
