Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Dozens of students at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee walked out of class on Wednesday as part of an anti-Israel demonstration organized by the group UMW Popular University for Palestine Coalition to protest “the UWM administration and their continued financial, social and academic state [sic] for the colonial state of Israel!” Of all the places on the University’s 277 acre-campus, this group chose to center their anti-Israel protest in front of the campus library named for former Milwaukee resident and Israel’s first female prime minister, Golda Meir.

(Source: Fox6)

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American. Students at Washington DC’s American University awoke yesterday to find the school’s iconic Glover Gate and the surrounding area covered in anti-Israel graffiti calling the school “The Genocide University” and demanding the university “Divest Now.” The vandals also painted upside-down red triangles — a symbol that connotes support for Hamas and violence against Israel. AU Hillel: “[we are] appalled by the anti-Israel graffiti prominently vandalizing AU’s campus.” University President Jonathan Alger: “If any members of the AU community were involved in this crime, conduct actions will be taken, and any applicable criminal charges will be considered.” ADL DC Regional Director Meredith Weisel: “it is deeply unsettling that less than a week after the one-year anniversary of the October 7 attacks, Jewish students on college campuses in D.C. are faced with hostile and inflammatory graffiti and signs.”

DEEPER: Read ADL’s explainer about what the inverted red triangle means.

(Credit: Gabrielle Macnamee | The Eagle)

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Indiana. The group Palestine Action Indiana posted photos earlier this week of the University of Indiana Bloomington’s celebrated statue of former university president Herman Wells — the face and hands of which were covered in fake blood. In a statement, university administrators said “Damaging or defacing university property clearly violates IU's Expressive Activity Policy and is wholly inconsistent with the university's values. The campus facilities team has removed the paint and IUPD is investigating the incident."

(Source: pal_actionindiana | Instagram)

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Texas State. Texas State University has condemned antisemitic graffiti found on the University’s San Marcos campus on Monday, saying "This act of hate and vandalism is counter to our university values" and reiterating that vandalism is a crime, “not a form of expression.” The specific details about the vandalism have not been released, but the university has confirmed it was quickly removed and the University Police Department has launched an investigation.

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Penn. In the days after the anniversary of the October 7 attacks, two University of Pennsylvania employees made their anti-Israel views known to the world. According to the group Mothers Against College Antisemitism, a Penn employee allegedly posted on social media: “I ♥️ Hamas” and “Israel is the real terrorists.” And according to screenshots shared by a recent Penn alumnus, a Penn PhD student and teaching assistant allegedly wrote: “god willing we are witnessing israel’s death spasms and the resistance will win within our lifetime.”

(Source: ADL)

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Arizona State. The Maricopa County Attorney’s office has charged 68 people with trespassing following their arrest at anti-Israel demonstrations on the campus of Arizona State University in the spring. More than 70 charges had previously been dismissed due to the arrests being citations — which require quick decisions on whether to charge. ASU police have since resubmitted the cases in long-form, giving prosecutors more time to review evidence.

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Fighting for Future Collegians. Students of all ages deserve to go to school free of antisemitism, harassment and intimidation. That’s why ADL sent a letter to the thousands of K-12 superintendents across the country yesterday asking them to adopt six best practices to combat antisemitism in schools. They include: define antisemitism; educate students, teachers, and community members about antisemitism, including the Holocaust; clearly communicate and enforce all policies and protocols, and ensure reporting mechanisms are in place; ensure schools do not teach problematic content that amplifies antisemitism and delegitimizes or demonizes the State of Israel and its existence; speak out and take action when antisemitism occurs; and ensure a welcoming and inclusive environment for Jewish Students. Along with the letter, ADL sent several education resources designed to combat antisemitism in K-12 schools.

Beyond the Ken. One of ADL’s longest-serving staff members is our Deputy National Director, the legendary Ken Jacobson. Since 10/7, he has been sharing his insights on the attack and rise in antisemitism in blog posts and essays, and now he is sharing them in a new book, October 7 and Shifts in Perspectives: Essays on Israel and the Surge in Global Antisemitism. The Hamas atrocities on that nightmarish day, the kidnappings, the world’s hypocrisy in blaming Israel for the violence and the unprecedented wave of antisemitism that followed have become fodder for Ken’s analysis and insights. Drawing on his 53 years of experience in the fight against antisemitism, Ken offers a unique perspective that is a must read.

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Brave Atlantans. In a Wednesday interview with the Emory Wheel, Emory University President Gregory Fenves defended his decision to end the encampment on Emory’s campus last spring, saying encampments “have caused issues related to harassment and discrimination” and reiterating that encampments pose a safety risk because “you don't know who's in it, you don’t know what’s in it.” He continued, “we should always try to foster dialogue [...] I don't think encampments help dialogue.” Earlier this week on Emory’s Atlanta campus, more than 300 students gathered on the university quad for a vigil to commemorate the attacks of 10/7. This event was made possible through the relationships between Hillels, university administrators, local and state law enforcement and support from the Attorney General and the Governor’s office.

(Courtesy of Hillels of Georgia)

100 Years of Light. Holocaust survivor Lily Ebert, aged 100, passed away in her London home this week. After surviving Auschwitz, Lily spent her life telling her story and educating others on the horrors of the Holocaust. Recently, with the help of her great-grandson Dov Forman, she used Instagram and TikTok to answer questions and engage an audience of 2 million people. Now, tributes to Lily and her work are flooding in. Britain’s Chief Rabbi: “She emerged from the unspeakable horrors of Auschwitz, not with bitterness or cynicism, but with a promise: to bear witness, to educate, and to inspire.” ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt: “Baruch Dayan Ha'Emet. Lily experienced the nightmare of Auschwitz, the Death March & the loss of her family in the Shoah. Yet she went on to live a life of kindness & compassion and, at age 100, continued to inspire millions around the world with her incredible story of survival.”

(Source: lilyebert | TikTok)

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United in Song. To honor the one-year anniversary of the 10/7 attacks, Carine Bassili, a Lebanese-American singer, recorded an Arabic version of Eden Golan’s Eurovision hit, “Hurricane.” Bassili was motivated to record this version after she learned of the unfair treatment Golan received at the Malmo, Sweden contest earlier this year. “As someone who sings … as an artist, as a singer, I felt it was very unfair how she was treated,” she said.

• Students — how to take action, deal with antisemitism, and organize your community.
• Alumni — how to organize a sign-on letter, answer a fundraising request, or write a letter to a university president.
• Parents — write a letter about commencement, organize a dial day, or get help selecting a college for your student.
• Glossary of Commonly Used Antisemitic Phrases Heard at Protests.
• Campus Antisemitism Report Card — see the grade a college earned in this first-ever report card.
• Report an Antisemitic Incident.
• Are you a student or know one who needs legal help? Contact our Campus Antisemitism Legal Line (CALL), run by ADL, Hillel, the Brandeis Center, and Gibson Dunn. Hundreds of incidents have been reported. You are not alone!

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