Georgetown. Three individuals wearing black defaced Georgetown University’s business school with inverted red triangles — often a symbol of support for Hamas — and graffiti that news accounts say was criticism of an upcoming speech by a former U.S. Army general who had been responsible for military operations in the Middle East. The school’s administration was quick to condemn the vandalism. ADL’s Washington, D.C. office reached out to Hillel and to campus law enforcement, and noted that “this hate has no place anywhere, and certainly not on a college campus. Jewish students, and all students, deserve to feel safe in their place of learning.”

DEEPER: An ADL explainer on how the inverted red triangle became a symbol of support for violent Palestinian resistance.

(Source: @emilykschrader | X/Twitter)

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Colorado. The student organization Boulder Students for Justice in Palestine finds itself in bad standing with the University of Colorado Boulder. A university spokesperson noted multiple violations of school policies by the group, specifically mentioning the disruption of a career fair. The ‘bad standing’ verdict means that the group can no longer operate as a recognized student organization. The group complains that this was “nothing but a cowardly attempt to stifle anti-war activism.”

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Washington. The University of Washington has released a report examining campus tensions amid the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas war. The findings, based on focus groups with Jewish, Israeli, Arab and Palestinian students, reveal stark experiences of fear and intimidation. A notable 60% of Jewish and 92% of Israeli students reported feeling unwelcome on campus, to go along with 80% of Muslim students saying they feel the same way.

DEEPER: You can read the 100+ page report here; it highlights the challenges of balancing free speech with a safe environment, particularly amid the encampments and other protests seen on campus.

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North Carolina. A protest hosted by UNC Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) called for divestment from Israel and the end of study abroad programs in Israel; protesters also targeted Jewish campus life at the University of North Carolina. The rally featured a speaker who was cheered when he called for “No more Hillel” and compared the organization supporting Jewish student life on campus to the KKK and Proud Boys. Unsurprisingly, Jewish students are expressing fears about being targeted for their identities at a time of rising tensions.

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Northwestern. A union of grad student workers at Northwestern University has voted overwhelmingly to embrace BDS. The Northwestern University Graduate Workers action was quickly rejected by the school. University spokesperson Hilary Hurd Anyaso said that the Evanston, Illinois school remains “committed to our connection to Israel” and has “made no commitments to divest.” A Jewish member of the grad student union also warned that this anti-Israel vote “makes a lot of Jewish and Israeli Ph.D. students uncomfortable to reach out to the union.”

Northwestern (again). “We thank @NorthwesternU for enforcing university policies. Jewish Voice for Peace's latest spectacle at Northwestern is a deeply offensive attempt to co-opt a Jewish religious symbol to fit the group's false narrative on Israel that gives cover and oxygen to antisemites.” This statement by ADL’s Midwest region came after Northwestern University’s administration had a ‘Gaza solidarity sukkah’ removed from campus after JVP had built it. This was one of several campuses where similar protest ‘sukkahs’ were erected by anti-Israel groups during Sukkot.

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American. In a strong statement, American University’s administration voiced its opposition to anti-Israel BDS efforts, saying that “we must simultaneously consider how we all can contribute to bringing the community together rather than moving us apart. The BDS proposal does not meet this goal.” This definitive statement by the school’s leadership comes as a rebuff to a recent vote by AU students in support of a BDS referendum during student government elections.

DEEPER: Read a report from ADL affiliate JLens on the real costs of university divestment.

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Cornell. A pro-Palestine activist at Cornell University who has been involved in disruptive anti-Israel protests that were a campus violation will continue his studies at the school, though he will have to do so remotely. The student most recently helped disrupt Cornell’s recent career fair, condemning Boeing’s involvement due to its connections with Israel. The university’s administration stated that protestors “screamed into bullhorns and banged cymbals, pots and pans, resulting in medical complaints of potential hearing loss.”

They Do a Student Body Good. Oversized milk cartons with faces of American citizens who were kidnapped by Hamas on Oct. 7 stand tall (really tall) on the Michigan State University campus. A member of the university’s Chabad said that the art installation is a reminder that “there are American citizens who are stuck in this conflict, and we just want to show that there are people here who support them.” This is part of a nationwide tour run by the Israel American Council. The milk cartons are also making an appearance at the University of Illinois Urbana campus as part of their national visibility and may be coming to a campus near you.

(Source: Campbell Berg | The State News)

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Silence, Too, is a Message. As Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of the Berkeley School of Law, notes devastatingly: “There is an important conversation to be had about Israel’s actions over the past year, which has led to so much devastation and loss of life in Gaza. However, these demonstrations on campuses were not that conversation. They were largely the celebration of the coldblooded murder and torture of innocent civilians... This support of violence is deeply disturbing. But so is the silence of school officials. Does anyone think the officials would be silent if there was a Ku Klux Klan gathering on a college campus celebrating white supremacist violence?” Kudos to Chemerinsky for schooling these hesitant school leaders.

A Brief History of Terrorists. In a fast-moving minute and fifteen seconds, the Israeli embassy to the United States documents who Hezbollah really is and the consequences of the Lebanon-based group’s legacy of violence. Don’t believe Israel’s perspective? The video points out the many countries whose citizens have been killed in Hezbollah attacks and also cites Hezbollah’s own charter, which says “our struggle will only end when this entity [Israel] is obliterated.”

(Source: @IsraelinUSA | X/Twitter)

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Save a Seat in Your Sukkah. During Sukkot, Jewish people symbolically invite guests into their sukkahs — including biblical figures like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah and Rachel. (A sukkah is a temporary outdoor structure; during the holiday, celebrants dine and otherwise spend time in it.) A British group is extending this festival’s tradition, asking the community to save seats in their sukkahs for the hostages who are being held captive by Hamas. The Board of Deputies of British Jews president Phil Rosenberg states, “This year, we are missing and remembering crucial guests, the hostages who are not free to celebrate with their loved ones... we encourage everyone to join in the ‘Save a Seat at the Sukkah’ campaign.”

(Source: Board of Deputies of British Jews digital poster)

• 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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