CONFRONTING ANTISEMITISM ON CAMPUS

Combatting antisemitism – anti-Jewish hatred – on university campuses has been an arduous process this past year, requiring an all-hands on deck approach. In the face of pressure from alumni, student groups and government agencies, some campuses have enacted new or updated policies. Despite the efforts, bias, harassment, vandalism and extremist rhetoric continue to undermine the safety of Jewish students and faculty on too many campuses.

Havard Reaches Landmark Legal Settlement with Brandeis Center

The prestigious Ivy League school recently agreed to a major settlement. The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law and Jewish Americans for Fairness in Education filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of Harvard students in May claiming years of “cruel antisemitic bullying, harassment and discrimination.”

As part of the settlement, Harvard’s existing Non-Discrimination and Anti-Bullying Policies will be updated to incorporate the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism and use IHRA when evaluating complaints of anti-Jewish discrimination and harassment. Additional steps include recognizing “conduct that would violate the Non-Discrimination Policy if targeting Jewish or Israeli people can also violate the policy if directed toward Zionists.”

“When fully and faithfully implemented, this agreement will help ensure that Jewish students are able to learn and thrive in an environment free from anti-Jewish hate, discrimination and harassment,” said Kenneth L. Marcus, founder and chairman of the Brandeis Center.

New Administration Takes Bold Action

President Trump recently signed an executive order, Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism, that reinforces his first-term EO regarding Title VI civil rights complaints. The order directs federal agencies to identify and utilize all available civil and criminal legal tools to combat antisemitism on campuses, including prosecuting and holding accountable perpetrators of unlawful harassment and violence. It also mandates comprehensive reporting from key agencies on civil rights violations, encourages the use of civil rights enforcement authorities and calls for monitoring and the potential removal of foreign individuals involved in anti-Jewish activities. Details regarding the order’s implementation have not been disclosed, but it received some bipartisan Congressional praise.

Some groups hailed it as a means to deport foreign students who support Hamas and who violate the civil rights of Jewish students. Director of Education and Community Engagement at North American Values Institute Brandy Shufutinsky: “Individuals who are in our country by invitation should have that invitation rescinded when they engage in behaviors that violate the civil rights of our citizens.”

Other groups are alarmed that the order targets specific groups of students, potentially taking legal action without due process. Free speech rights also are at risk of being violated. National Council of Jewish Women: “Policies designed to protect Jewish communities should address antisemitism in all of its manifestations and from all corners of society. Antisemitism should never be weaponized.”

The new executive order contains other directives, including the “formation of a multi-agency Task Force to Combat Antisemitism. The first priority of the Task Force will be to root out antisemitic harassment in schools and on college campuses.” This initiative builds on President Biden’s National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism.

Additional measures include launching an investigation of campus antisemitism by the independent U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. More than 60 lawmakers recently reintroduced the bipartisan Holocaust education bill. The Dept. of Justice also announced a multi-agency task force to combat antisemitism, and the Dept. of Education announced an investigation into five universities: Columbia, Cal Berkeley, Portland State, Northwestern and Univ. of Minnesota, Twin Cities. This initiative will help tackle a growing backlog of civil rights complaints.

Recent studies indicate a 30% increase in antisemitic incidents on college campuses over the past five years, underscoring the urgent need for intervention.

Understanding and addressing antisemitism is crucial for fostering a safe and inclusive campus environment. Here are some common questions and answers to help guide our community.