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US college student suspended over antisemitic sign at sports bar

Ali Abbas Ahmadi
BBC News
Getty Images Sullivan Memorial Library at Temple University in PhiladelphiaGetty Images
Temple University said students involved in the incident would face disciplinary action

A student at Temple University has been suspended after an antisemitic incident at a sports bar in the city of Philadelphia went viral.

Police are investigating after a three-word sign with an expletive about Jews was held up at the pub on Saturday.

Dave Portnoy, the owner of the Barstool Sansom Street bar, said two employees had been fired. Two others had agreed to go to Auschwitz, the former Nazi Germany death camp, for "a learning experience", he added.

The incident comes amid growing scrutiny from President Donald Trump's administration of how antisemitism allegations are handled on US college campuses.

The incident began after two customers ordered the illuminated sign along with drinks at the bar, Mr Portnoy said in a video on X.

The founder of digital media company Barstool Sports expressed outrage and vowed to take swift action.

In a second video a few hours later, he said he had spoken with the culprits and their families.

Explaining the Holocaust to young people

Mr Portnoy, who is Jewish, said the pair had agreed to go to Auschwitz, in Poland, which he believed to be "a fair outcome".

He said after 20 years of running Barstool, "I've had more hate, more antisemitism in the last year, year-and-a-half, than I've ever had doing it".

The bar, which was closed on Sunday, posted a statement on Instagram saying it was "saddened, embarrassed and frustrated" by the incident.

"Unfortunately, several employees ignored all of their training and the organization's written policies regarding our zero tolerance policy for discrimination and hate," the statement continued.

Temple University President John Fry addressed the incident on Sunday, saying in a letter to the campus that "Temple students were involved in an antisemitic incident at an off-campus location" on Saturday.

He said one student suspected of involvement had been placed on interim suspension.

"Any additional students who are found to be involved will face strict disciplinary action under the Student Conduct Code, up to and including expulsion", he added.