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Good morning and welcome to the Campus Crisis Alert. If you want to subscribe,
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1. 📰 Top Stories
Michigan State. Five Michigan State University students who are part of the “Hurriya” student group coalition were arrested following a
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sit-in at the Hannah Administration building on campus. The anti-Israel protesters at the sit-in included both students and faculty. The demonstration followed an MSU Board of Trustees meeting; the protesters called for MSU to cut financial ties with Israel: "The demand is divestment back on the table. They said no to divestment in April. We're saying (they) need to put it back on the table."
(Source: hurriyamsu | Instagram)
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CUNY. City University of New York’s Graduate Center’s student government has approved a resolution
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boycotting the use of student fees to buy goods “that support or benefit from the US-backed Israeli occupation of Palestine.” The
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resolution would keep those funds from going to Starbucks, McDonalds, Sabra and other makers of goods from computers to cosmetics. Among the problems with this edict on where to spend student fees is that, as former CUNY board of trustees member Jeffrey Wiesenfeld pointed out, “It’s an absolute violation. You can’t have Jewish students pay for fees used for prejudicial activity against them.”
DEEPER: In a bit of irony, this anti-Israel action at CUNY against Starbucks targets a company that has
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no stores in Israel, but over a thousand in other countries across the Middle East.
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Columbia. A coalition of 25 state attorneys general has urged Columbia University to
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maintain its stance against calls for divestment from Israel. Addressed to Columbia's Interim President Katrina Armstrong, the letter expressed concern over increasing antisemitic activity on campus and commended Columbia for resisting demands from pro-Palestinian student groups.
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The letter pointed to troubling rhetoric by certain campus groups around the one-year anniversary of October 7, which, according to the attorneys general, underscores the need for Columbia to reject what they describe as “antisemitic pressure” and maintain its institutional policies.
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Brown. In a setback for the Students for Justice in Palestine chapter at Brown University, the SJP chapter has been
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temporarily suspended over conduct at a recent anti-Israel protest, where, as Brown’s EVP for Planning and Policy Russell Carey noted, there were reports that protestors were “banging on a vehicle,” “screaming profanities at individuals” and at one point using a “racial epithet directed toward a person of color.” In addition to this disciplinary action against SJP, the university is also investigating individual protesters.
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Harvard. Roughly 25 Harvard faculty members have been
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banned from the university’s Widener Library for two weeks following a silent “study-in” protest held in support of pro-Palestinian students previously suspended from library access. Library system head Martha Whitehead defended the ban, stating that the demonstrators’ “seeking attention is in itself disruptive” and noting that some students had avoided the library due to the protest. The faculty action is the latest in a contentious period of campus protests and responses.
2. 🏆 Campus Champions
Will Israel Make Its Campus Case? In a new article from the Institute for National Security Services, a well-known Israeli think tank, researchers look into how academic BDS campaigns are trying to delegitimize and isolate Israel. As the INSS
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researchers note, "the majority of students and faculty at U.S. universities, who have not adopted anti-Israel or antisemitic beliefs, can still be reached." The report points out that there is a role in this campus conversation for Israeli scholars, who “should be encouraged to make an intellectual case for Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish and democratic state."
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Stop the Antisemitism, not the Conversation. Former Tufts University dean Alan Solomont is
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urging colleges to tackle the rise in antisemitism with a nuanced approach to discussions around Israel-Palestinian issues while clearly condemning hate speech. “Education and empathy are essential,” he says, noting that these conversations present a “teachable moment” to foster understanding and respect. Solomont highlights that the goal is to promote informed discourse, encouraging students to critically engage with complex global issues and to build resilience against antisemitism.
3. 💪✡️ Am Yisrael Chai
Lighting the Way. Members of Penn State Hillel and Lions for Israel gathered for an
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Oct. 7 memorial on the HUB Lawn of Penn State University’s main campus. The memorial recalled lives lost in Hamas’ attack and kept attention on the hostages. It also brought awareness of the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah. Lions for Israel Treasurer and general counsel member for Penn State Hillel Jared Schwartz put it simply, “People often see this as a one-sided issue. This didn't affect just Jews. It didn't affect just one community.” Another initiative by Penn State Lions for Israel popped up on campus, showcasing a beautiful
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installation of a Jewish star to light up the night.
(Source: @EYakoby | X)
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Israel Remembers. On Sunday, Israel held a
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national day of mourning, marking the Hebrew date of the Oct. 7 massacre by Hamas. Because the attack took place over the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah, during which state ceremonies are not held, the memorial was postponed to Sunday. IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi led the remembrance, honoring those lost and reflecting on the painful journey over the past year. In his official letter, Halevi spoke of Israel’s resolve, the ongoing fight for the hostages’ return, and the importance of accountability, stating, “Acknowledging failure and taking responsibility is the first step in rectification.”
4. 📣 Info and Action:
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Not on My Campus
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Students — how to take action, deal with antisemitism, and organize your community.
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Alumni — how to organize a sign-on letter, answer a fundraising request, or write a letter to a university president.
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Parents — write a letter about commencement, organize a dial day, or get help selecting a college for your student.
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Glossary of Commonly Used Antisemitic Phrases Heard at Protests.
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Campus Antisemitism Report Card — see the grade a college earned in this first-ever report card.
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Report an Antisemitic Incident.
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Are you a student or know one who needs legal help? Contact our
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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!
Do you have something to share with us? Please email us at
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