Columbia. A second former Columbia University student has been arrested by the Department of Homeland Security. According to DHS, Leqaa Kordia’s visa expired in 2022 and the department also said that she had been previously arrested after her involvement in “pro-Hamas protests” at Columbia. This comes after the detention and green card revocation of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia graduate who had been a student leader of the anti-Israel movement. In commenting on the Khalil arrest, ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt noted Khalil’s role in the Columbia anti-Israel activity — which destroyed campus property, disrupted students’ education and broke laws — and also asserted everyone’s right to have their case heard, evidence examined and be treated fairly, which is fundamental to our system of justice. Also in recent days, Columbia’s judicial board announced “multi-year suspensions, temporary degree revocations, and expulsions” of an unspecified number of Columbia students connected to the 2024 occupation of Hamilton Hall.

Protest in support of Mahmoud Khalil in NYC. (Source: Ryan Murphy/Staff Photographer | Columbia Spectator)

ALSO AT COLUMBIA: Two janitors allege under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act that they faced retaliatory harassment at Columbia for “reporting antisemitic and racist conduct” in the workplace after coping with anti-Israel demonstrators. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has opened a probe into this case.

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Task Force Tour. The U.S. Federal Task Force to Combat Antisemitism is escalating efforts to address rising antisemitism in schools, requesting meetings with the mayors of New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago and Boston to discuss whether these cities are adequately protecting Jewish students. Attorney General Pam Bondi criticized officials for failing to act after October 7, warning that “actions have consequences — inaction does, too.” The task force’s efforts follow a Department of Education warning to 60 universities about enforcement actions if they fail to protect Jewish students. Columbia University, a focal point of anti-Israel protests, has already lost $400 million in federal funding. Interim President Katrina Armstrong defended the school, saying Columbia remains committed to free expression while addressing hate and discrimination.

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Harvard. Harvard Law School students voted in favor of a referendum calling on Harvard University to divest from companies involved in “weapons, surveillance technology” and other fields that are connected to what the vote called Israel’s ‘genocide’ in Gaza. The vote, which the university rejected and termed “needlessly divisive,” was aimed at the school’s $53 billion endowment. The law school student vote was participated in by less than half of the students. The HLS Alliance for Israel student group chided the referendum wording as antisemitic and including false accusations.

DEEPER: A report by ADL affiliate JLens estimates that universities could lose billions in future returns on their endowments if they capitulate to BDS initiatives.

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Western Washington. Western Washington University (WWU) is addressing antisemitic vandalism on its campus, including Nazi symbols and slogans. WWU reaffirmed its commitment to combating hate and fostering inclusion, with Chief Diversity Officer Jacqueline Hughes saying “Religious intolerance and discrimination will not be tolerated at WWU in any form.” ADL has reported rising antisemitism on campuses nationwide, with multiple incidents in Bellingham and Whatcom Counties.

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Oklahoma. At a Board of Regents meeting, members of Oklahoma University Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) disrupted proceedings, demanding the university divest from weapons manufacturers involved in civilian casualties. After an SJP member yelled an anti-Israel message during the meeting, law enforcement removed the protesters from the Oklahoma Memorial Union. The administration supported the removals, saying that “While we will continue to support freedom of expression and the right to peaceful protest, we must also remain vigilant in ensuring the safety and continuity of university operations.”

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Netherlands. The University of Amsterdam (UvA) has formally ended its partnership with Hebrew University of Jerusalem, a decision critics say was driven by violent anti-Israel protests that rocked the campus in 2024. The move follows UvA President Peter-Paul Verbeek’s negotiations with masked demonstrators, who demanded divestment while vandalizing campus buildings and causing millions in damages. Dutch Senator Annabel Nanninga condemned the decision, calling it a “dangerous precedent” that rewards intimidation. The Dutch Friends of Hebrew University denounced the decision, highlighting Hebrew University’s commitment to diversity, where over 16% of students are Palestinian. Some UvA alumni, including former Dutch Foreign Minister Uri Rosenthal, are returning their diplomas in protest.

Reconstructing Zionism. Reconstructionist Judaism is facing internal turmoil as the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College is becoming a hub for anti-Zionist students, according to Rabbi Shoshana Hantman. In response, Hantman and others founded the group Beit Kaplan as a new forum that includes over 75 Zionist Reconstructionist rabbis seeking to counter that trend and reaffirm Jewish peoplehood. As Hantman explained, “We have created Beit Kaplan to salvage our reputation as Zionists, recover and promote the wisdom of Reconstructionism, and be a source of healing and inspiration for those who have been harmed.”

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Mazel Madness. As the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments tip off, four of the eight No. 1 seeds are led by Jewish coaches, making this a historic moment for Jewish representation in college basketball. On the men’s side, Duke’s Jon Scheyer, Auburn’s Bruce Pearl and Florida’s Todd Golden all lead top-ranked teams. Pearl, a founder of the Jewish Coaches Association, has been vocal about his support for Israel, and Golden and Scheyer both played professionally in Israel. In the women’s bracket, USC’s Lindsay Gottlieb has guided her team to a No. 1 seed, adding another Jewish coach to the tournament’s top tier. With six of the last seven men’s champions coming from No. 1 seeds, the odds are strong that a Jewish coach could take home the trophy this year!

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On the Frontlines. A new documentary, Frontline Warriors, has been released, spotlighting the experiences of Jewish students confronting antisemitism and anti-Israel activism on U.S. college campuses. The film, which premiered in Jerusalem, features exclusive footage and interviews documenting the students’ year-long efforts. Produced by the leaders of the Jewish group Aish Ha’am, the documentary aims to inspire action against rising campus antisemitism. Additional screenings are slated for the U.S. and elsewhere.

Purim Icon. Aviram Carmeli, a 43-year-old bar owner from Tel Aviv, is known for his elaborate and hilarious Purim costumes that regularly go viral. From Aladdin to Harry Potter to a bearded Miley Cyrus on a wrecking ball, Carmeli has become a Purim icon. Last year, he wowed crowds as Aang from The Last Airbender, riding a longboard disguised as Appa, Aang’s flying bison. His collaborator Orgad Edery, known for rapid, large-scale creations, brings Carmeli’s visions to life in just days.

Carmeli as Harry Potter on the streets of London. (Source: aviram_carmeli | Instagram)

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Rebuilding Together. Commonly referred to as the Gaza Envelope, Israel’s Western Negev region was devastated by Hamas’ attack on 10/7, and now requires billions of dollars to recover. The Milken Institute convened a Financial Innovations Lab, bringing together investors, philanthropists and policymakers to create a funding model to help the region heal. The proposed plan focuses on infrastructure, housing, business development and technology. Leveraging tools like small business loans and tax credits to attract investment, the initiative aims to ensure long-term economic reintegration and sustainability for the region.

• Campus Community Advocacy Resources — From social media shares to letter writing campaigns, ADL has clear steps for you to take action and effect change on college campuses.
• K-12 Advocacy Resources — Tools and knowledge to foster and advocate for a safe, inclusive and equitable school environment for all.
• University Faculty and Staff — Support for impacted faculty and staff, guidance on how to discuss what constitutes antisemitism and anti-Zionism and how to provide help to students and colleagues.
• University Administration — Guidance & Best Practices for making campuses safer and more inclusive.
• Campus Antisemitism Report Card — See the grades of 135 universities, the current state of antisemitism on campus and how colleges and universities are responding.
• Chai-er Ed Podcast — ADL’s campus podcast, brings you firsthand stories from Jewish students navigating today’s college campuses.
• General Campus Resources — ADL Backgrounders, Educational Programming, Research and Analysis and more.
• Campus Antisemitism Legal Line (CALL) — College or university students, professors, or employees who want to report campus incidents of antisemitic discrimination, intimidation, harassment, vandalism or violence that may necessitate legal action can report to CALL for legal support.
• K-12 Antisemitism Legal Line — Parents and other interested adults in California, Massachusetts and New York can report incidents of antisemitic discrimination, intimidation, harassment, vandalism or violence occurring in K-12 schools to the K-12 Antisemitism Legal Line.
• Report an Antisemitic Incident.

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