California. UC Davis’s official student newspaper, The Aggie, named Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) the “Best Student-Run Organization or Club” for the second year in a row, despite SJP’s record of promoting antisemitic rhetoric and justifying Hamas’s October 7 terrorist attacks. SJP chapters nationwide, including at UC Davis, have a documented history of glorifying violence against Jews and supporting extremist groups. Following the announcement, ADL Central Pacific Regional Director Marc Levine issued a statement condemning the decision: “Honoring such an organization helps legitimize hate under the guise of celebrating activism. We urge The Aggie to reconsider this decision and for UC Davis administration to reaffirm its commitment to fostering a campus free from antisemitism and discrimination.” UC Davis has faced ongoing scrutiny for extremist rhetoric on campus, including student government BDS resolutions and inflammatory comments by faculty members.

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London. A year after similar anti-Israel protests in 2024, student groups like KCL Stands For Justice, launched a new encampment at King’s College London’s (KCL) Strand campus. The encampment demands the university condemn Israel for “genocide and scholasticide” in Gaza, boycott Israeli academic institutions and divest from companies linked to arms manufacturing. University officials acknowledged students' right to protest but said the encampment violates policy. Tensions are high, with growing concerns from Jewish and Israeli students about antisemitism linked to past encampments. University operations continue as normal, though guest access is restricted. Last year’s encampment at KCL lasted over three months before ending under threat of eviction.

The encampment tents in the Quad on 13 May. (Source: Courtesy of Kayla Rahaman.)

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Harvard. The Trump administration announced an additional $450 million in federal funding cuts to Harvard University, bringing the total penalties against the school to approximately $2.65 billion. The administration’s taskforce accuses Harvard of failing to adequately address antisemitism on campus and refusing demands to shut down diversity programs, cooperate with immigration authorities and ban face masks. Harvard, led by President Alan Garber, rejected the demands as illegal overreach and is pursuing legal action, asserting its right to academic freedom and institutional autonomy. ADL has previously stated that "any actions taken to address campus antisemitism — including the potential withholding of federal funding — must be grounded in clear evidence and conducted in a manner consistent with Title VI procedures and other laws.” The funding cuts come amid escalating campus protests over the war in Gaza and broader administration criticism against elite universities perceived as politically liberal.

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Arizona. Arizona has become the latest state to outlaw protest encampments on public university campuses amid ongoing anti-Israel demonstrations nationwide. Governor Katie Hobbs signed House Bill 2880, requiring administrators to dismantle unauthorized encampments immediately and empowering law enforcement to remove protesters who refuse to comply. Individuals may also face trespassing charges and liability for campus damages. State Rep. Alma Hernandez, who introduced the bill, said the measure was necessary to protect campus safety following the October 7 Hamas attacks and the surge of anti-Israel activism that followed. “Jewish students should not have to hide or take alternate routes just to get to class,” Hernandez said. The ADL Desert Region office welcomed the new law, saying it “ensures that Arizona campuses remain free of encampments so all students, faculty, and staff remain safe amidst a climate of rising antisemitism.”

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SUNY. In a proposed resolution, the State University of New York (SUNY) system is taking steps to reinforce its commitment to a discrimination-free environment. If adopted, the policy would require every SUNY campus to appoint a Title VI Coordinator by August 15, 2025, to address complaints of discrimination and harassment based on race, color or national origin. Additionally, annual Title VI training will be mandatory for all employees and offered to students. This initiative, driven by Chancellor Dr. John B. King Jr. and the Board of Trustees, aims to ensure compliance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and foster a safer, more inclusive campus atmosphere, particularly in response to rising concerns of antisemitism, Islamophobia and other forms of discrimination. ADL New York/New Jersey praised the move, calling it a “strong step” that will “help protect anyone on campus who experiences bias incidents on SUNY campuses.”

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EVENT: ADL Parent Advocacy Online Event: Addressing Antisemitism in Independent K-12 Schools. Jewish students in independent K-12 schools deserve to feel accepted and safe and to thrive within learning communities that are free of antisemitism and anti-Israel bias. On May 21, we invite parents and caregivers to join us for an online discussion on what ADL’s latest research indicates about the climate for Jews in independent K-12 schools, how other parents have championed change in their schools and communities and what kinds of resources ADL offers to support your own advocacy efforts to create a positive, inclusive school experience for Jewish students. Click here to register now.

Enough is Enough. A Tufts University graduate shares his perspective on antisemitism at the school, describing personal experiences that span from the early 1990s to recent years. He details how challenges facing Jewish students have grown, especially post the10/7 terrorist attack by Hamas. Over the past year and a half, he highlights a pattern of troubling campus incidents, from protests and hostile language to university decisions and federal scrutiny. While each event alone is concerning, he believes the cumulative effect reveals a deeper issue. He closes by calling for meaningful change, emphasizing that the Jewish community has tolerated these challenges for far too long.

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Jewish Pride: On and Off the Court. On May 21, professional basketball player Ryan Turell will join ADL for a special conversation about embracing identity and resilience in the face of hate. As the first Orthodox Jew to play in the NBA’s G League and now a player in Israel’s Premier League, Turell has made headlines for wearing his kippah on the court and speaking out against antisemitism. A former star at Yeshiva University, where he led his team to one of the longest winning streaks in NCAA Division III history, Turell continues to show how sports can be a powerful platform for pride, representation, and allyship. The event will feature a live Q&A, giving students a chance to engage directly with Ryan’s inspiring story. Register here.

Building a Smarter Future. The Adelson Family Foundation has made a major gift — close to an eight-figure donation — to help launch the Adelson Institute for Smart Materials at Bar-Ilan University. The new multi-disciplinary institute will bring together top Israeli researchers in AI, medicine, engineering, chemistry and life sciences to create cutting-edge, marketable products in fields like health care, energy storage and display technologies. “We are gratified to partner with Bar-Ilan University in maintaining and expanding Israel’s status as a force for scientific advancement,” said Dr. Miriam Adelson. The project aims to strengthen ties between academia and industry while solidifying Israel’s role as a global leader in innovation.

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Singing Through the Fire. Israeli Eurovision contestant Yuval Raphael is pressing forward in the international song contest despite facing threats, protests and calls for Israel’s exclusion. A survivor of the Oct. 7 Nova music festival massacre, Raphael is using her performance of “New Day Will Rise” to share a message of resilience and unity. While tensions run high and pro-Palestinian demonstrators have intensified their presence at the event, Raphael remains focused on her performance and purpose. With the European Broadcasting Union standing by Israel’s inclusion, she is preparing to take the stage amid a politically charged atmosphere — determined to rise above the noise.

• 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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