Quebec. Quebec saw widespread anti-Israel protests as over 85,000 students from 13 Canadian universities staged a strike to demand their universities divest from Israel. In Montreal, major demonstrations occurred at Concordia University, while Dawson College completely shut down classes for the day over safety concerns. Tensions escalated as protestors waived nazi salutes and chanted slogans like “long live the Intifada.” The events coincided with a NATO conference in Montreal, with protesters tying NATO to alleged complicity in genocide.

Anti-Israel protesters at Dawson College. (Source: @leoraschertzer | X/Twitter)

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Sarah Lawrence. In a follow-up to a post we included in this newsletter last Friday about the occupation of a building at Sarah Lawrence College by protesters demanding divestment from Israel, the protest in that building has ended. ADL thanks the administration and campus police for making sure that all students are safe, and as we posted online "we hope that there will be appropriate consequences for any students who violated the school's code of conduct."

Protesters occupying a Sarah Lawrence building last week. (Source: @slcdivest | Instagram)

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NYU. Dozens of protesters gathered at Gould Plaza, home to many New York University schools. They hoisted banners saying “Disclose; Divest; Shut Down NYU Tel Aviv” and other anti-Israel messages, and called for NYU to take BDS actions. The protesters object to a wall around the plaza that was added after a wave of unruly anti-Israel demonstrations in the spring. One speaker denounced the wall as part of a “hyper-police zone with barricades on every block” that they felt was hampering their protests. Campus security was nearby, as were NYPD officers. After protesting for an hour in the rain, the demonstrators headed out for another protest.

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Gonzaga University. Around 100 anti-Israel protestors marched across the Gonzaga University campus, trying to “disrupt business as usual” and calling for the school to cut ties to weapon manufacturers. Their demands include asking the university to pull out of the Inland Northwest Consortium, a Gonzaga-led initiative that partners with major defense contractors. Gonzaga’s statement about the protests did not address the protester grievances, saying “Our Jesuit values call upon us to seek justice, uphold the dignity of all persons and to build bridges of understanding that can lead to a more hopeful and peaceful future.”

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Columbia. Anti-Israel protests interrupted an event at Columbia University’s Kraft Center for Jewish Student Life featuring Israeli journalist Barak Ravid. A line of protesters wearing keffiyehs and holding signs silently walked out during the event, while at a protest a half-block away, monitored by a strong NYPD presence, demonstrators called for the university and Barnard College to sever ties with Hillel. Columbia’s administration condemned the intimidation and affirmed its support for Hillel as vital to campus life. Ravid responded as well, saying “It is a shame that instead of attending the event, list[ening] to what I had to say, asking questions and having a dialogue the students chose to walk outside in the rain and chant false and stupid accusations against me.”

Maryland Makes Waves. Maryland state Del. Joe Vogel has introduced significant legislation to require colleges and universities in the state to designate a Title VI coordinator responsible for addressing discrimination, including antisemitism. This role would ensure a clear, accessible path for students and families to report issues, building on a system already in place for K-12 public schools in Maryland. ADL has worked with Vogel in support of the legislation, with ADL’s Jonathan Allen calling it a "common-sense solution" modeled after the success of Title IX coordinators nationwide. Allen added it is a critical step to protect students in “this dire moment.”

DEEPER. In another expansion of Title VI efforts as a path to handling antisemitism allegations and other concerns on campus, Penn has opened a new Title VI center that may be the first of its kind.

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Second Opinions. In response to a GW “Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine” (FSJP) op-ed, the GW “Faculty and Staff Against Antisemitism and Hate” has published their own, calling for “respectful and evidence-based discourse and to provide a safe and inclusive academic environment.” The anti-Israel op-ed included claims about Israel’s military response to Hamas while ignoring the Oct. 7 massacre, the ongoing hostage crisis and the missile attacks Israel is facing. That essay also omitted details about the hostility of anti-Israel protesters at GW and the “chilling impact” of their extremist language. The FSJP had painted a more idyllic picture of these protesters as "students sitting in small groups, reading and chatting." The commendable group behind the new op-ed invited FSJP for a face-to-face conversation.

Survey Says. Jewish teens who are engaged in their Jewish community — through day schools, summer camps or trips to Israel — tend to feel a stronger connection to Israel and view it more positively, according to a Mosaic United study. The research highlights a stark contrast in perspectives with just 6% of highly engaged teens sympathizing with Hamas, compared to 65% of their less-engaged Jewish peers. Teens with Israeli family or friends also reported feeling closer to their Jewish identity and better equipped to navigate misinformation. “You can pit a 10-second TikTok against a living, breathing person and a person will win every time. There’s just no replacement for interpersonal relationships,” said Alana Ebin of Mosaic United.

• 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.
• Faculty and Staff — support for impacted faculty and staff, and guidance on how to discuss what constitutes antisemitism and anti-Zionism, and how to provide help to students and colleagues.
• 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!

Do you have something to share with us? Please email us at [email protected] with any suggestions, questions, photos or videos.