COLLEGE PARK, Md. (WJLA) — A message referencing the Holocaust that was found where a pro-Palestine rally was held at the University of Maryland is at the center of an investigation by campus police, as Jewish students and community leaders have raised concerns for their safety.

A Jewish student leader posted a picture of "Holocaust 2.0" written in chalk on the ground at the time of the rally on Thursday, as well as a video showing protestors chanting, "There is only one solution - Intifada revolution." A representative with the student group that organized the rally this week told WJLA none of their members wrote the message referencing The Holocaust, and their group had washed it off.

"It's not great. I generally try to avoid it. For safety concerns, I don't want to be in a group of people that could be a risk," said Ezra Cohen, a Jewish student at UMD. "The emotions have been all over the place."

Jewish community leaders are also speaking out.

Meredith Weisel of the Anti-Defamation League said there has been a 400% increase in anti-Semitic incidents since the war began.

Seeing something like 'Holocaust 2.0' is one of two things. One: it's Holocaust distortion or two, it's a threat against students, and it's really dangerous and it has to be condemned because it is completely unacceptable," Weisel said.

Since the Thursday rally, the university released the following statement:

"We are aware of the hateful, antisemitic sentiments expressed at the November 9, 2023 demonstration organized by Students for Justice in Palestine. We condemn it in no uncertain terms. The offensive actions of a few should not reflect on the vast majority of protesters who were there to peacefully express their views, but there is no place for any antisemitic message, behavior or action at the University of Maryland. The University of Maryland Police Department (UMPD) has launched an immediate investigation and continues to conduct real-time threat assessments. Responsible parties will be held accountable."

UMD has the fourth largest Jewish student population of public colleges and universities in the country, with 6,500 Jewish students making up about 20 % of its total student population.

"Jewish students, quite frankly, have had to bear the brunt of severe anti-Semitic incidents," Weisel said. "We see the conflation of what is happening in Israel and the blaming of Jews on a global basis."

WJLA reached out to University of Maryland Police to ask if they are adding patrols near Jewish student centers in the wake of these messages.

A spokesperson provided the following response:

"We have been providing extra police presence since October 7, 2023, as well as 24-hour checks."

Cohen said he has noticed the police presence.

"We have police relatively often, especially during Shabbat and events. They have police officers here. There have been some antisemitic things, but it's been more messaging from SJP and not really actions and attacks. There are other colleges where there have been attacks and people having to hide. Thankfully, nothing like that has happened here," Cohen said.

In the meantime, Jewish students and leaders told WJLA they are remaining vigilant.

"I don't think there's too much fear because nothing has happened. There is fear something can happen. I think people are hoping stuff on campus does not get too much worse," Cohen said. "There's always a chance something could happen, so there is a worry about it. But nothing has happened. The whole thing is terrible."

Weisel said the ADL is encouraging Jewish students at UMD and other campuses to reach out.

Students need to know they are not alone, and there are organizations like ADL that can be there to help them navigate through these difficult times," Weisel said. "Students, if they see something, need to report it. They need to make sure they are being vigilant. They need to still be proud of who they are."

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