BACKGROUND – TALKING POINTS – ACTIONS – VOICES – STORIES
Pro-Hamas protestors at more than 50 universities – from Yale to Arizona State, from Minnesota to Texas and Canada to Australia – are engaged in major anti-Israel protests often with tent encampments aimed at disrupting campus life for all Americans. The protests are part of a planned, coordinated campaign which has included acts of intimidation, harassment and violence directed against Jewish students.
The protest goals include a demand that universities divest their finances from companies and institutions with connections to Israel. Protesters violently broke into the Columbia University library, barricaded themselves inside and held three janitors hostage. As Jewish students joined their families to celebrate the liberation of Jews from slavery during Passover, anti-Jewish activists led a brazen campaign on university campuses to intimidate and silence Jewish students and their allies.
Identical, brand new tents popped up at encampments across the country revealing a sophisticated and well-coordinated campaign.
Protests Impact All Students: ‘Death to America’
The protests are alarming for all Americans. The actions of too many protesters violate basic civic and academic values and break the rules and regulations of many campuses. Some professors are participating on several campuses. Some Northwestern professors encouraged their students to skip class to attend the protests or even held their classes at the encampments.
At the Univ. of Michigan, pro-Palestinian pamphlets declared: “Freedom for Palestine means Death to America.” Chants of “Death to America” were reported across the country. U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson: “What we are seeing is disgusting and unacceptable and every leader and citizen of good conscience has to speak out: ‘This is not who we are in America.’”
Some universities have responded to disruptive protests by allowing protesters to impact the ability of all students to attend their classes as usual. The Univ. of Southern California is restricting campus access and has cancelled its main graduation ceremony. Columbia is providing virtual classes for students who do not feel safe walking on campus. Students do not have access to the libraries for final exams.
Hundreds of students occupied two academic buildings – and rebranded them “Intifada Hall” – at California State Polytechnic Univ. at Humboldt. Despite condemning the “lawless behavior,” the university announced that it was closing its campus for the final two weeks of the semester and students living in dorms were told not to leave their building.
There has been a notable difference between many pro-Hamas and pro-Israel protests since Oct. 7.
Free Speech, Not Violence: ‘Targeting Jews will never be tolerated’
University administrators have been adamant that they support free speech, but do not condone violence. They have taken different measures in response to protests, ranging from preemptive actions to appeasing hateful agitators.
The Univ. of Florida issued protest guidelines. UF stated that “peaceful protests – including speech and signs – are constitutionally protected. Camping, putting up structures, disrupting academic activity or threatening others on university property is strictly prohibited.” The consequences for students and staff include suspension, termination and a three-year campus ban.
Columbia officials have allowed protesters to reign free despite multiple calls to leave and engaged in negotiations with them before calling in the NYPD to restore order. An Israeli American professor at the university was denied access to campus, and many Jewish university students voiced that they felt “completely abandoned” by many campus administrators.
Police have arrested hundreds of demonstrators across the country. Students and professors passed resolutions condemning university presidents at some universities that took decisive action to restore order.
U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries: “Every American has the constitutional right to free speech and peaceful assembly in public. However, intentionally targeting Jews on the basis of their identity will never be tolerated.”
An anti-Israel protestor at George Washington Univ. holds a sign calling for the Final Solution against Israel, similar to the Nazi’s Final Solution for Jews. Protesters at other universities displayed flags, marched with posters and wore clothes of different terrorist organizations.
Iran, Hamas Hail Activists: ‘Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders’
Iran-backed Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine are all U.S.-designated terrorist organizations that signed a letter supporting the anti-Israel encampments. A senior Hamas leader stated that “today’s students are the leaders of tomorrow,” and the PFLP: “We highly value the solidarity of our people in various American universities.” Iran – the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism – also celebrated the protesters.
Several chapters of Student for Justice in Palestine share content from the Resistance News Network social media channel. RNN is closely associated with Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist groups. The Ohio State SJP chapter used the RNN group to enlist support – revealing a link between anti-Israel campus groups and Palestinian terrorist organizations that support the destruction of Israel and the targeting of Jews everywhere. Many pro-Palestinian student groups openly praised the 10/7 Hamas attack.
Violently Targeted: ‘We were chased and told to go back to Poland’
While many protests have been peaceful, Hamas supporters have physically assaulted Jewish students on several campuses. Lani Dawn – a Native American Jewish woman of Sioux and Lakota ancestry – wore a “rape is not resistance” shirt at a UCLA anti-Israel rally. Lani was surrounded and attacked by a mob:
“I was physically assaulted by a UCLA student. He used a wooden stick to shove me from a ledge I was peacefully standing on. Campus police stood by and watched. UCLA faculty were involved in intimidating Jewish protesters and instigating or intentionally ignoring assaults.”
Columbia student Jonathan Lederer was hit in the face and chest by objects thrown at him and his friends while holding Israeli flags. One of the protesters seized his flag and attempted to light it on fire. “We ended up being chased out of campus and told to ‘go back to Poland,’ a poignant reminder that even in America, antisemites wish to condemn Jews like me to our ancestors’ tragic fate.” The Nazis murdered 3 million Polish Jews and built death camps in Poland – including Auschwitz. “Go back to Poland” is seen by many Jews as code for ‘Jews go to Auschwitz.’
In another disturbing incident, a pro-Hamas protestor held a sign pointing to Jewish students as the next target for Hamas terrorists. The students were simply holding Israeli and American flags. UCLA student Eli Tsives – wearing a Star of David – was blocked on his way to class by pro-Hamas protesters. Alarmingly, 77% of 18 to 24-year-old Americans recently surveyed believe it is safe for Jewish students to openly wear Jewish symbols on campus, versus only 37% of all Americans.
A pro-Hamas protestor at Columbia holds a sign pointing to Jewish students as the next target for Hamas terrorists. The Izz al-Din al-Qasam Brigades is the formal name of the terrorist Iran-backed Hamas ‘military’ wing.
Vile Threats: ‘Kill the Jews’
Many Jewish students across America are increasingly afraid to step foot on campus. Boston’s Northeastern Univ. reported that “Kill the Jews” was heard at a campus protest. Pro-Hamas protesters – students and non-student activists – repeatedly declare that they only oppose Zionists, yet their attacks are intentionally aimed at Jews.
Columbia protest organizer Khymani James made several statements proving his hateful contempt for Jews: “Zionists don’t deserve to live.” He told a university administrator in January that he did not think any of his statements were problematic. His comments came to light during the protests and days later, Columbia finally banned James from campus.
U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar and her daughter, Isra – who was arrested for trespassing and suspended by Columbia – were seen supporting and embracing protest organizer James who stated that if he was in a fight with a Zionist, “I fight to kill.” Rep. Omar praised the activists for their “bravery and courage.” The ADL condemned Rep. Omar for invoking a blood libel against Jewish students.
Many pro-Palestinian protesters repeat anti-Jewish propaganda and advocate violence. Ironically, while they falsely accuse Israel of committing genocide, many of their chants support the Hamas goal of committing the genocide of Jews:
Anti-Israel protesters chanting to “globalize the Intifada” are voicing support for Hamas bombings of busses, restaurants and hotels – and the 10/7 attack that included killing Israelis, raping women and kidnapping toddlers.
New Legislation Needed: ‘Recent events are painful to witness’
U.S. Reps. Ritchie Torres and Mike Lawler are planning to introduce the College Oversight and Legal Updates Mandating Bias Investigations and Accountability (COLUMBIA) Act, which would allow the Dept. of Education to impose a third-party monitor for antisemitic activity on any campus receiving federal funding.
Lawler is the lead House sponsor of the bipartisan Antisemitism Awareness Act is expected to be voted on soon. The bill would direct the Dept. of Education to treat attacks against Jewish students as a civil rights violation and use the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism to determine violations. The American Zionist Movement, ADL, Conference of Presidents, Hadassah, National Council of Jewish Women and StandWithUs are a part of a coalition of dozens of groups urging its passage.
1. Universities must protect all students – including Jews
Many universities fail to provide security for their students who want to attend class on campus. One Univ. of Southern California student stated that her university “used to be a place where we learned and studied.” The Univ. of Florida’s guidelines on prohibited conduct and its consequences are an example of preventing unrest. Other universities used law enforcement to clear out illegal protesters. Some administrations have actively looked for opportunities to promote civil discourse to diminish hostile atmosphere on campuses. Others – especially Columbia – have allowed deadlines to pass.
2. Free speech is acceptable, hate speech and violence are not
Many protests have crossed the line of free speech, forcing local and national Jewish groups to protect Jewish and Israeli students from harassment and discrimination. Ideas and policies can be debated, and criticism of Israeli government policies is legitimate, but students must not be dehumanized, excluded or attacked on the basis of their ethnic, religious or national identity. It is unacceptable to deny all students full access to educational opportunities by blocking access to campus or by making students feel unwelcome. ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt: “Freedom of speech isn’t the freedom to slander people, incite violence or sit in front of a campus Hillel screaming at Jewish students walking inside for a Shabbat dinner.” Not all criticism of Israel is antisemitic. Intimidation and violence against Jewish students is clearly antisemitic.
3. Universities would not tolerate this hatred against any other minority group
American universities would likely take swift action if other minority groups were harassed, intimidated and attacked on campus. USC student, Brandon Tavakoli: “I’ve never understood why, when there’s bigotry against Jewish students, we have to bring up a conversation about free speech, but when there’s bigotry against anyone else, we are clearly denouncing it as bigotry. It’s personally hurtful that I, as a Jewish student, have to prove that what I’m experiencing is intimidation, hatred and harassment. Jewish students just want to be like every other student on campus.”
4. Jews are often intentionally targeted on Jewish holidays
Targeted attacks on American Jewish students during Passover – unlikely a coincidence – are quickly spreading. Anti-Israel campus groups routinely push student government leaders to introduce, debate and vote on resolutions against Israel when many Jewish students are celebrating major holy days with their families. Detailed meeting notes from Princeton activists showed training and coordination between groups across the country. Attacks on Jewish holidays is just one of the links between the campus protesters and Palestinian terrorist groups. Hamas carried out its 10/7 attack on Simchat Torah, Hamas murdered 40 Israelis in the 2002 Passover Seder massacre and Arab countries attacked Israel in 1973 on Yom Kippur.
5. Many students do not understand what they are protesting
While many students have a sincere concern about the Palestinian cause, there are students across the country who seem to want to jump on the protest bandwagon. They are joining in with their friends or allied groups to denounce Israel, Jews and America. An ignorant mob at Boston Univ. announced that Israel and America are the biggest threats to world peace. Many of these students likely have good intentions but are consuming a steady diet of misinformation. In fact, many students and professors falsely subscribe to the view that Jews in Israel are ‘colonists’ and that Israel must be destroyed despite archaeological and historical evidence proving that Israel is the ancestral homeland of the Jews.
6. Boycotting Israel will not help the Palestinian cause or support peace
The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement against Israel actually harms Palestinians. BDS attacks against SodaStream caused the company to relocate its main factory out of the West Bank, resulting in the loss of jobs for hundreds of Palestinians and eroding meaningful coexistence between Palestinians and Israelis. Hamza Howidy – a Palestinian peace activist from Gaza – called out American students for “endorsing Hamas ideology” and for failing to condemn Hamas violence against Palestinians. Hamza concludes “from their silence that they are protesting because of a hatred of Jews and Israelis.”
7. Zionism is an integral part of Jewish identity
Zionism is the belief that Jews have the right to self-determination in their ancestral homeland. Jews overwhelmingly support this. Zionism for Jewish students is not an opinion or a viewpoint. Zionism represents the historic fact that the Jewish people’s ethnic, national and religious identity was established thousands of years ago. Jews lived under Jewish rule in the Kingdoms of Israel and Judea with a code of laws, a common language and a Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. Jewish students who embrace this heritage are increasingly treated as pariahs and are told by protesters that they must deny or disavow this part of their ancestral heritage to be accepted in student clubs and on campus.
A sign from a campus protest falsely claiming that Jews are from Europe and America. The State of Israel was the rebirth of the Jewish national project following the existence of the Kingdom of Israel and the Kingdom of Judah.
A. Hold universities accountable
Demand that universities immediately act against instances of anti-Jewish hatred on campus. University administrations nationwide must take all necessary steps to ensure a safe learning environment for all students, including enforcing all applicable school policies. Contact university administrators and urge them to strengthen protections for Jewish students, including conducting external reviews of anti-discrimination policies and adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism. For guidance, reach out to Hillels or other Jewish campus organizations, which often have established relationships with key administrators. Use civil, respectful language.
B. Demand universities update and enforce their codes of conduct
The ADL created a template – Harassment that Creates a Hostile Environment – that can be integrated by universities into their existing codes of conduct. It addresses targeted attacks against individuals based on identifiable characteristics, including religion, ethnicity and national origin. The ADL also is calling on all campus leaders to ensure that their existing codes of conduct are enforced.
C. Show support for Jewish students
Jews should be able to attend class in person, walk around campus and proudly display their identity without fear of violence, intimidation and harassment. Non-Jews must lend solidarity and support. Jews – when they feel safe – can stand up to threats and intimidation by proudly and publicly displaying their Judaism. This includes wearing a Star of David, waving Israeli flags and marching in solidarity. Non-Jews can foster unity and understanding by learning about Jewish history, customs and beliefs and challenging stereotypes – opposing anti-Jewish hate wherever it appears. A visible show of unity displays a sense of belonging and creates a society where everyone feels accepted, respected and valued.
D. Ask your Congressional members to pass bills protecting Jewish students
Jewish students desperately need safety and support on campus. The Antisemitism Awareness Act is expected to be voted on soon. The bill would direct the Dept. of Education to treat attacks against Jewish students as a civil rights violation and use the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism to determine violations. U.S. Reps. Ritchie Torres and Mike Lawler are planning to introduce the College Oversight and Legal Updates Mandating Bias Investigations and Accountability (COLUMBIA) Act, which would allow the Dept. of Education to impose a third-party monitor for antisemitic activity on any campus receiving federal funding. Contact your U.S. Representative and Senators and urge them to support pending legislation. Congressional representatives respond best to personally written emails.
Message From a Gazan to Campus Protesters: You’re Hurting the Palestinian Cause
Hamza Howidy is a Palestinian peace activist and accountant from Gaza who was arrested and tortured multiple times for protesting against Hamas.
You know what would help the Palestinians in Gaza? Condemning the Hamas atrocities. Campus protesters should be speaking up for the innocent victims of Hamas – both Palestinian and Israeli. Instead, they endorse the Hamas ideology with posters announcing resistance “by any means necessary” and chants of “from the river to the sea,” effectively glorifying Hamas, whose ideology is entirely based on the elimination of more than 6 million Israelis.
I saw the LGBTQ flag frequently flown among people chanting lines from the Hamas charter, and I initially wanted to educate them, to warn them that the group they are honoring would most likely toss them from the top of a building or murder them like they did to a Hamas commander accused of homosexuality. Hamas harasses women who don’t cover their heads. Hamas tortures those who demonstrate against their authoritarian rule, as they did to me when I protested.
Then, there’s the hypocrisy. Where were these caring young people when Hamas took over Gaza and slaughtered hundreds of Gazans, or when Hamas held 2 million Gazans captive for more than 17 years? Why didn’t they speak out about the fact that Hamas led Gazans into this conflict? Where were they when the failed Hamas missiles claimed the lives of hundreds of Gazans on October 17, or when Hamas murdered young people in order to steal aid and resell it to Gazans at massively inflated prices?
The only conclusion that can be drawn from their silence is that they are out in their tents because of a hatred of Jews and Israelis.
Click here to read his full account in Newsweek.
Police began removing protestors from campus buildings and encampments on Tuesday night, April 30, and into the early morning on May 1. Hundreds of student protestors who had barricaded themselves in a prominent hall at Columbia University, were removed with some of those in custody identified as “outside, professional agitators,” according to NY Mayor Eric Adams.
Other protesters at City College of New York violently clashed with police, while pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel students were engaged in altercations at UCLA. Across the nation, many more protestors were cleared and arrested, once colleges and universities requested official police support.
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This content is developed by The Focus Project in partnership with Mercaz USA. The Focus Project distributes weekly news and talking points on timely issues concerning Israel and the Jewish people, including antisemitism, anti-Zionism and the delegitimization of Israel. It represents a consensus view across a spectrum of major American Jewish organizations. Mercaz USA recognizes and respects the diversity of views on these issues among its readers and the community at large.