Universities Must Act to Stop Surge of Antisemitism

The crisis of antisemitism on college campuses is escalating and demands immediate action. Jewish students are under siege, with many feeling physically and emotionally unsafe. What should be safe spaces are increasingly becoming environments where hatred and intimidation thrive.

The recent wave of antisemitism, driven by aggressive anti-Israel protests, is a serious threat to Jewish students’ safety and well-being. Universities must act immediately, not only to prevent a recurrence of what we saw last year, but to address the escalation that is already evident on campuses across the country. We are tracking six trends that universities must be prepared to address with swift and strong consequences.

Our campuses have a long history of peaceful protest and civil disobedience. What we are witnessing does not fit within this legacy. Campus protests have been marked by escalating violence. Vandalism, disruptions to campus activities and events, and even physical assaults are now commonplace. Jewish students and faculty are being targeted, and there have even been off campus incidents of harassment of administrators and trustees. This violence demands immediate intervention. This must be recognized, condemned, and met with clear and certain consequences.

Moreover, the rhetoric at these events has taken a dangerous turn. Some students are openly celebrating terrorist organizations such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Chants like “We are Hamas” and “Kill another soldier now” at protests are not simply hate speech; they are endorsements of terror. Additionally, foreign actors like Iran are reportedly influencing these protests. This isn’t activism; it’s a coordinated effort to sow division and hatred.

Protesters are increasingly using anonymity to intimidate and harass while evading accountability. By wearing masks and refusing to identify themselves, they seek to avoid consequences for their actions. This masked intimidation undermines the principles of open debate and intellectual exchange that universities are supposed to uphold. Institutions must address this problem head-on.

The normalization of anti-Israel extremism on campus is alarming, and the problem has extended beyond the quad and into the classroom. Some professors are glorifying Hamas attacks and encouraging students to join anti-Israel protests, even offering extra credit for participation. This behavior turns academic institutions into places of indoctrination rather than education. Furthermore, it creates a hostile environment for Jewish students, ostracizing them for aspects of their identities. It is particularly concerning due to the platforms faculty possess and the power they hold vis- a- vis the students.

Not content with taking over communal spaces and academic venues, protestors are targeting Jewish institutions like Hillel and Chabad. Calls to sever university ties with these organizations aim to dismantle Jewish communal spaces on campuses. These are assaults on Jewish identity and support networks, depriving the Jewish campus community of safe spaces and sending a clear message that Jews are not welcome.

The Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which pushes for divestment from companies with ties to Israel, is becoming normalized and weaponized. BDS aims not for peaceful resolution but for the complete delegitimization of Israel. Student government resolutions and investment committee votes on the issue of divestment are becoming more common. There is also a concerted effort to marginalize Israeli students and faculty, with calls for boycotts of Israeli academic institutions and programs. Universities must recognize BDS for what it is: an antisemitic campaign designed to undermine both Israel and Jewish students and academics’ presence on campus.

What we are seeing is not merely a debate over policy or expressions of dissent—it is a full-scale campaign of hatred targeting Jewish students and institutions. This surge in antisemitism poses an existential threat to the safety and well-being of Jewish students nationwide.

Universities must act decisively. Silence and inaction are forms of complicity. It is no longer acceptable to hide behind claims of free speech and academic freedom while Jewish students face harassment and violence. The time for universities to demonstrate real courage and commitment to their students is now. They must enforce their policies, ensure the safety of all students, and reaffirm their dedication to the values of tolerance and inclusion.

Anything less is a betrayal of the principles these institutions claim to uphold.

As we mark one year since the horrific Hamas attack of October 7, there is no time to waste in ensuring that harassment, intimidation and violence will be met with strong action and certain consequences.

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Shira Goodman is Vice President for Advocacy at ADL (the Anti-Defamation League).