PHILADELPHIA – A Temple University student has been suspended following an antisemitic incident at a Philadelphia sports bar owned by Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy. The incident occurred on Saturday, sparking outrage and immediate action from both the university and the bar’s management.
Immediate Impact
The controversy unfolded when a customer at Barstool Sansom Street ordered bottle service and requested an antisemitic sign, which read “F**k the Jews,” to accompany it. Dave Portnoy, who is Jewish, expressed his fury over the incident in a video posted on social media, stating that he initiated an investigation to identify those responsible.
Key Details Emerge
Portnoy revealed that two men were responsible for the offensive request and that two servers involved in the incident were terminated from their positions. The bar’s management issued a statement on social media, emphasizing their stance against discrimination and expressing particular concern for their Jewish patrons and colleagues.
“We take all forms of discrimination incredibly seriously, and are particularly upset by actions taken against our Jewish patrons, colleagues, partners, and friends,” the statement read.
University Response
In a letter to the Temple University community, President John Fry described the incident as “deeply disturbing” and confirmed that the student believed to be involved has been placed on interim suspension. Fry underscored the university’s zero-tolerance policy towards antisemitism and discrimination.
“In the strongest terms possible, let me be clear: antisemitism is abhorrent. It has no place at Temple and acts of hatred and discrimination against any person or persons are not tolerated at this university,” Fry stated.
Industry Response
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) in Philadelphia also responded, acknowledging the offensive message displayed at the bar. The ADL announced that they are investigating the situation and have alerted law enforcement to the incident.
“Antisemitic slurs and statements have no place in our city,” the ADL emphasized in their statement.
What Comes Next
Portnoy has decided to turn the incident into a learning opportunity. He mentioned in a follow-up video that he has spoken to the families of the two men involved and plans to fund their visit to Auschwitz, the Nazi concentration camp in Poland, as an educational experience.
“The more I thought about it, it’s like, these are young f**king morons who did this, drunk,” Portnoy said. “It’s like, do you really want to ruin someone’s life?”
Background Context
The incident arises amid increased scrutiny of how U.S. universities handle allegations of antisemitism. Earlier this year, Temple University was among 60 institutions contacted by the Department of Education regarding investigations into antisemitic discrimination and harassment.
Regional Implications
This development highlights ongoing concerns about antisemitism in academic and social settings. The response from both the university and community organizations underscores a commitment to addressing and mitigating such incidents.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on promoting understanding and preventing future occurrences of hate-driven actions.
