2023 was a year marked by significant events that brought campus antisemitism to the forefront.
Following the October 7 terror attacks and Israel's subsequent declaration of war against Hamas, lawsuits, congressional investigations, and threats to cut federal funding from elite universities ensued.
This year became a turning point in addressing the prevalence of extremist and antisemitic ideologies on college campuses.
According to Jonah Cohen, a communications director at the Committee for Accuracy of Middle East Reporting in America, "Americans are beginning to awaken to the presence of extremist and antisemitic ideologies prevailing in our universities." The Oct. 7th terrorist attacks by Hamas exposed the reality of systemic Jew-hatred on college campuses like never before, as stated by Brooke Goldstein of the Lawfare Project.
In the aftermath of these events, protests erupted on college campuses, with pro-Palestinian demonstrations causing fear among Jewish students. Many of these students were targeted for sympathizing with Hamas' crimes and justifying them. The shocking part was witnessing college students and faculty cheering these attacks, as Goldstein pointed out. At Cornell University, for example, students expressed feeling unsafe when a professor, Russell Rickford, expressed his "exhilaration" after the Hamas terrorist attack. Jewish students also faced hostile rhetoric and chants from their peers, including calls for the elimination of Israel and for "Intifada" the Arabic word for "uprising" that also refers to violent Palestinian resistance efforts.
Netanel Shapira, a student at Cornell, raised concerns about the hate speech occurring near their campus and questioned the institution's allowance of an antisemite and justifier of terror to use Cornell to legitimize his viewpoint. The hostilities from the anti-Israel crowd and their disruptions led to the suspension of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapters at Brandeis University, Rutgers, Columbia University, and George Washington University. SJP's national chapter even referred to the Hamas terrorist attack as a "historic win" for Palestinian resistance.
Brandeis University cited concerns about the group's rhetoric being supportive of Hamas and reminded students that such behavior would be considered a violation of the university's student code of conduct. The State of Florida, under the DeSantis administration, directed its colleges to terminate student chapters that support "Hamas terrorism," emphasizing that providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization is a felony under Florida law. Liora Rez from StopAntisemitism accused SJP and its related groups of repeatedly cheering antisemitic terrorism and advocating for its importation to America. She argued that their presence on campus leads to more hostility towards Jews and that their embrace of violence should disqualify them from every campus in the country.
Roz Rothstein of the pro-Israel group StandWithUs believed that SJP chapters have used feigned concern for social justice to gain supporters while laying the groundwork for "extreme campus antisemitism." Jewish students had been complaining about campus antisemitism for years, but it reached a boiling point when the leaders of the most elite universities in the country voluntarily appeared at a congressional hearing and refused to state that calls for genocide against Jews violated their policies. This led to donors pulling their money, firms threatening to strip recruitments, and some students questioning their interest in elite institutions like Harvard.
Jonah Cohen expressed satisfaction that their warnings about campus antisemitism are finally resonating with the wider public. The House Committee on Education & the Workforce announced an investigation into Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, and MIT over "rampant antisemitism" following the shocking testimony from the university presidents. Rep. Elise Stefanik promised a "reckoning" for Jew-hatred. Simultaneously, the U.S. Department of Education launched investigations into universities such as Cooper Union, Columbia University, Cornell, UPenn, and Lafayette.
Law firms are also taking action, launching civil suits against college campuses for allegedly violating students' Title VI civil rights by creating a hostile environment and failing to address antisemitism. Kasowitz Benson Torres, a major NYC law firm, is focusing on legal action against Harvard, Cornell, Columbia, New York University, MIT, Stanford, University of Pennsylvania, and UC-Berkeley. They anticipate expanding their scope as more student complaints pour in. Mark Ressler, a partner at the firm, expressed his eagerness to reveal the full extent of the hypocrisy as the discovery process unfolds.
The testimony from the elite university presidents also led to increased scrutiny and calls for their resignations. University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill subsequently resigned. Harvard President Claudine Gay faced accusations of academic dishonesty, with 40 allegations of plagiarism against her. Republican members of Congress expanded their probe into Harvard to include these allegations, stating that the university's refusal to take action against President Gay cheapened its mission and the value of its education.
The aftermath of these events has resulted in some students rejecting offers from top-tier schools due to the stigma associated with these institutions. Christopher Rim, CEO of Command Education, noted that students are now reconsidering their options and looking at alternatives to Harvard and other elite schools.
In November, over two dozen Wall Street law firms warned colleges that if they didn't address the pro-Hamas sentiment on campuses, it would affect their willingness to hire their students. The firms emphasized the need for zero tolerance policies for any form of discrimination or harassment. Edelson PC, another law firm, announced that it would no longer participate in recruiting opportunities at Harvard due to how the university and President Gay handled the aftermath of her testimony before Congress on antisemitism.
The financial penalties for antisemitism have been severe, with billionaires reducing or halting donations to leading Ivy League colleges. Leon Cooperman, a Columbia alum and billionaire, is halting donations after having given $50 million to the institution over the years. The Wexner Foundation, which has worked with Harvard for over three decades, informed the university that they are "no longer compatible partners." Bill Ackman, a billionaire investor and influential Harvard alum, claimed that the handling of antisemitism on campus has cost the university over a billion dollars in donations.
In addition to pressure from donors, these universities face calls to have federal funding stripped due to their handling of antisemitism. Less than two weeks after the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack, a group of GOP senators introduced legislation that would rescind federal education funding for colleges and universities that allow "violent antisemitism." Harvard's silence after more than 30 student organizations at the school blamed Israel for Hamas' attack on its civilians was specifically pointed out. Rep. Elise Stefanik emphasized the need to defund the rot in America's higher education and ensure that schools supporting antisemitism are cut off from federal funds.
Goldstein from the Lawfare Project highlighted the emergence of antisemitism and anti-Zionism, stating that there is no more pretending that anti-Zionism isn't antisemitism. She argued that these groups are not innocent grassroots student organizations but radicals connected with foreign terrorist organizations, hell-bent on terrorizing not just the Jewish community but all of America.
The events of 2023 have brought campus antisemitism to the forefront and sparked significant action. Lawsuits, congressional investigations, and threats to cut federal funding have put pressure on universities to address the prevalence of extremist and antisemitic ideologies on their campuses. Donors have reduced or halted their contributions, and law firms are taking legal action. The consequences of antisemitism have been severe, with universities facing financial penalties and calls for resignations. The fight against campus antisemitism continues, with the hope of creating a safer and more inclusive environment for Jewish students on college campuses. It remains to be seen how universities will respond to these challenges and what measures they will take to combat antisemitism and ensure the well-being of their students.
In the wake of these events, many Jewish student organizations and advocacy groups have emerged to support and empower Jewish students. These organizations aim to create a sense of community, provide resources for combating antisemitism, and raise awareness about the issues faced by Jewish students on campus. They organize events, workshops, and educational programs to foster dialogue, promote understanding, and challenge stereotypes.
Furthermore, universities have started implementing measures to address the issue of campus antisemitism. Some have established task forces or committees dedicated to combating antisemitism and promoting inclusivity. They have also revised their policies and codes of conduct to explicitly address antisemitism and ensure that incidents are properly reported and addressed.
Education and awareness are crucial in the fight against campus antisemitism. Universities are increasingly offering courses and workshops on antisemitism, Jewish history, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to foster understanding and promote dialogue. Guest speakers, experts, and scholars are invited to campuses to share their insights and experiences, challenging students to think critically and engage in respectful discussions.
In addition to internal efforts, universities are also collaborating with external organizations and experts to address campus antisemitism. They are partnering with Jewish organizations, civil rights groups, and law enforcement agencies to develop strategies, share best practices, and ensure a coordinated response to incidents of antisemitism.
The events of 2023 have undoubtedly shed light on the prevalence of antisemitism on college campuses. They have sparked a national conversation and prompted universities, lawmakers, and the wider public to take action. While the road ahead may be challenging, there is hope that through collective efforts, campuses can become safer and more inclusive spaces for all students, regardless of their religious or ethnic background.
Login