close
close

Mondor Festival

News with a Local Lens

Chilling new report reveals how widespread anti-Semitism is at US universities, including New York
minsta

Chilling new report reveals how widespread anti-Semitism is at US universities, including New York

In the United States, 72% of Jewish students feel “unwelcome” on their campuses, while more than half have experienced anti-Semitism, according to a dismal new report.

The civil rights group StopAntisemitism released “report cards” on how more than two dozen college campuses have addressed hatred against Jews and re-evaluated five other campuses previously noted by the organization.

Two New York City schools — Cornell University and The New School – received a shameful grade of “F,” the band said.

An anti-Israeli demonstration in front of the New School, September 12, 2024. Michael NagleAn anti-Israeli demonstration in front of the New School, September 12, 2024. Michael Nagle

An anti-Israeli demonstration in front of the New School, September 12, 2024. Michael Nagle

Among the organization’s other findings, Jewish campus students surveyed revealed:

  • 67% believe their university did not take enough measures to protect Jewish students following the October 7, 2023 Hamas massacre in Israel.

  • 43% said they hide their Jewish identity from classmates out of fear, and the same percentage would not recommend their school to Jewish classmates.

  • 43% did not feel safe enough to report the anti-Semitism of which they were victims. Among those who reported it, A staggering 87% believe their school failed to properly investigate crimes.

  • 69% said they were blamed for Israel’s actions by Palestinian supporters.

Another group, Alums for Campus Fairness, reported similar results on anti-Semitism in August.

“Universities are abandoning their Jewish students, often leaving them vulnerable and unsupported,” the StopAntisemitism report says.

An anti-Israel protest at Columbia University on October 7, 2024 to mark the one-year anniversary of the October 7 terrorist attacks. Photo by Alex Kent/Getty ImagesAn anti-Israel protest at Columbia University on October 7, 2024 to mark the one-year anniversary of the October 7 terrorist attacks. Photo by Alex Kent/Getty Images

An anti-Israel protest at Columbia University on October 7, 2024 to mark the one-year anniversary of the October 7 terrorist attacks. Photo by Alex Kent/Getty Images

The group said it had been forced to triple the size of its organization just to handle the recent deluge of complaints about hatred against Jews – what it described as a “jaw-dropping” increase of 3,000 % of anti-Semitic information and communications since the Israeli massacre.

“Jewish students and faculty were ambushed, harassed, stalked and physically attacked. Mezuzahs were torn from doors and crowds of peers openly called for their deaths, chanting genocidal slogans,” the report said.

“These institutions have enabled privileged mobs to commit some of the most vicious hate crimes seen on American soil since the civil rights era, targeting Jews with impunity. »

Professor Russell Rickford of Cornell University called the terrorist attacks Professor Russell Rickford of Cornell University called the terrorist attacks

Professor Russell Rickford of Cornell University called the terrorist attacks “exhilarating” during a speech on campus. @samaberman /

While Cornell University and the New School in the Big Apple failed the investigation, accused of being a hotbed of hatred. Columbia University in Manhattan was not rated this time because the group alternates the schools it reviews each year.

But in 2022, Colombia — the shameful site of some of the country’s most vitriolic anti-Semitic protests, earned a failing grade.

This year, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Brown University, Emerson College, the University of Oregon, the University of California-Davis and the University of Washington joined the group’s Hall of Shame and received a grade of “F”.

A tent in the anti-Israel encampment on the campus of Brown University, April 30, 2024. CJ GUNTHER/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockA tent in the anti-Israel encampment on the campus of Brown University, April 30, 2024. CJ GUNTHER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

A tent in the anti-Israel encampment on the campus of Brown University, April 30, 2024. CJ GUNTHER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

“Each year we evaluate 25 new schools, and the results remain woefully consistent: Institutions like Columbia – and many Ivy League and Ivy-adjacent schools – continue to fail their Jewish students,” said Liora Rez, founder of StopAntisemitism.

“Administrations across the country have made no significant effort to ensure that Jewish students feel safe expressing their identities. This is not an isolated problem; it is a systemic failure of leadership.

Cornell was rejected for several anti-Semitic incidents, including Student Patrick Dai threatening to shoot and stab Jewish students and attack the campus kosher dining hall, while history professor Russell Rickford said he was “excited” by the Hamas terrorist attack of October 7.

In May, an 18-day illegal encampment also took place, leading to the suspension of six students.

“Anti-Zionist protests have disrupted much of campus life,” the report said of Cornell.

StopAntisemitism researchers said leaders of The new school Greenwich Village University declined to participate, but the students did.

Cornell student Patrick Dai threatened to attack Jewish students on campus last year. Broome County Sheriff's Office/AFP via Getty ImagesCornell student Patrick Dai threatened to attack Jewish students on campus last year. Broome County Sheriff's Office/AFP via Getty Images

Cornell student Patrick Dai threatened to attack Jewish students on campus last year. Broome County Sheriff’s Office/AFP via Getty Images

“75% of students have experienced anti-Semitism,…95% of students do not feel welcome in many spaces on campus. …83% of students would not recommend their school,” the report states.

“Notable incidents: Anti-Israel demonstrators and New School professors took over a building in protest. »

Three universities received an “A” grade for their greatest support of Jewish students: Baylor, Clemson and Elon.

Hofstra University on Long Island received a “C” and Upstate Vassar College in Poughkeepsie and Stanford were rated “D.”