Scheduling Notes: There will not be an edition on Thursday this week in deference to Yom Kippur observance. Additionally, with Sukkot starting next week, the first edition of that week will come out on Monday afternoon rather than on Tuesday.

Polling for Allies. An alarming new Buckley Institute poll reveals shifting perspectives among U.S. college students, with 33% viewing Palestinians as a better U.S. ally than Israel, 29% siding with Israel, and 38% still figuring it out — possibly between classes. Also in the survey... the belief in a peaceful two-state solution remains shaky with 46% in favor, and support for free speech is high until someone says something offensive, at which point 48% are ready to shut it down. In short, students are passionate, divided and confused.

DEEPER: For more on campus attitudes, dig into a student survey by ADL, Hillel International and College Pulse, which checked in with Jewish and non-Jewish students on over 100 campuses about antisemitic and anti-Zionist views.

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UC Berkeley. An Oakland man has been sentenced to nearly 20 years in federal prison for firebombing a UC Berkeley police car and attempting to firebomb a federal courthouse in Oakland. Casey Robert Goonan, 35, carried out multiple arsons on campus in June 2024 but had no affiliation with the university. Prosecutors said Goonan’s “manifestos” railed against what he called “the ongoing genocide in Gaza,” and even included a drawing of a burning UCPD vehicle next to an Israeli military jeep. The Justice Department said Goonan “called on others to attack property on Bay Area college campuses in support of Palestine.” At sentencing, the court labeled him a “domestic terrorist,” with Judge Jeffrey S. White calling the attacks “an assault on our educational system.”

A U.S. Department of Justice video showing footage from the incident at UC Berkeley. (Source: U.S. DOJ)

INCIDENT RESPONSE: ADL is here to help. If you have experienced an incident of antisemitism on campus or elsewhere, report it to ADL. We can offer support and resources.

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Dartmouth. In a bit of déjà hate, Jewish students at Dartmouth College have been targeted with swastika graffiti in their dorms for the second time this month. In this case, someone drew a swastika on a sign outside a Jewish student’s room in New Hampshire Hall. College President Sian Leah Beilock castigated the incident, saying, “Let me be absolutely clear: Antisemitism has no place at Dartmouth… They are cowardly and unacceptable. We are fully supporting the criminal investigation by Hanover Police.” The co-presidents of the school’s Jewish Alumni Group praised the administration’s swift response, which includes a pledge to increase security patrols in residence halls and to offer support to any affected students.

Dartmouth's administration building. (Image source: The Dartmouth)

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Cornell. At Cornell University, a professor connected to chapters of anti-Israel student groups has had all of his fall courses cancelled by the school over a complaint that last year he had tried to exclude an Israeli student from his class called “Gaza, Indigeneity, Resistance.” The school’s President, Michael Kotlikoff, had already slammed Eric Cheyfitz’ Gaza-focused class as radical and inaccurate. Based on the admitted actions of the professor, a significant disciplinary action is being recommended by the Cornell Administration.

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Syracuse. Two Syracuse University students could face antisemitism hate crime charges after allegedly throwing a bag of pork into the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity during a Rosh Hashanah dinner. The students were quickly apprehended by campus police. ADL NY/NJ regional office commented saying: “We are deeply concerned… Grateful to law enforcement who are actively investigating.” Both students have been released on bail and face court proceedings.

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Northwestern. Several students at Northwestern University were blocked from fall quarter enrollment after refusing to complete mandatory antisemitism training, which they criticized as biased and politically motivated. Over 200 individuals, including students, faculty and alumni, signed an open letter claiming the training disproportionately favored Israel. Northwestern responded that the training is a standard annual requirement on discrimination and misconduct, and while students don’t have to agree with the material, they must acknowledge the policies to register.

A Blooming Union. Kalaniyot, a growing organization that unites faculty at U.S. universities with Israeli researchers, is going west. As one of the directors of the new University of Southern California chapter writes, this will be “the first Kalaniyot Chapter on the West Coast — also the first chapter led by women co-directors.” Kalaniyot, named for an Israeli flower that symbolizes pride and resilience, focuses on the contributions of scholars and students from all nationalities, religions and ethnic backgrounds. It also provides fellowships to bring Israeli researchers and scholars to the U.S. to form academic partnerships.

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Jewish Journalism. Jewish student publications may be tiny in number (just 0.2% of U.S. campus outlets), but they punch way above their weight. From UCLA’s Ha’Am to Maryland ’s Mitzpeh, these hubs of Jewish life mix Torah commentary with satire and hard-hitting reporting on antisemitism and lawsuits. Since 10/7, they’ve doubled as go-to news sources, helping students navigate protests, professors and campus climates. Mitzpeh editor-in-chief Ava Rowse said, “we are shaping the conversation on Israeli politics, Jewish culture, or the level of how religious students are nowadays compared to 10 years ago, and why that’s changed.” Beyond keeping Jewish conversations alive on campus, they’re also training the next generation of Jewish journalists who aren’t afraid to stir debate.

• Campus Community Advocacy Toolkit — From incident reporting and educational resources to letter-writing campaigns and Know Your Rights factsheets, ADL has clear steps for you to take action and effect change on college campuses.
• University Administration — Guidance and 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.
• General Campus Resources — ADL Backgrounders, Educational Programming, Research and Analysis and more.
• Campus Antisemitism Legal Line (CALL) (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 Advocacy Resources — Tools and knowledge to foster and advocate for a safe, inclusive and equitable school environment for all.
• K-12 Advocacy Resources for Independent Schools — Additional resources for members of independent K-12 school communities.
• 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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