Israel Resumes Airstrikes in Gaza as Hamas Refuses to Release Remaining Hostages
After weeks of failed negotiations to reach an extension of a ceasefire agreement that expired on March 1, Israel launched new airstrikes against Hamas with the goals of degrading Hamas leadership and freeing the 59 hostages still remaining in Gaza. Israeli officials condemned Hamas for violating the terms of the ceasefire agreement, while the Hostage Families Forum called on Israeli citizens to join an emergency protest against the resumption of hostilities.
Hillel of Staten Island Establishes Dedicated Spaces for Jewish Students at Two Local Colleges
Hillel of Staten Island has opened dedicated spaces at both the College of Staten Island and Wagner College to enrich the Jewish student experience. These areas provide students with opportunities for social, educational, and cultural engagement within their academic environments, and have already led to increased student engagement and community experiences.
Columbia University in Talks with White House to Restore $400 Million in Federal Funding
The White House has extended Columbia University’s deadline to meet its demands regarding addressing campus antisemitism in order to restore $400 million in federal grant funding. The government’s demands for Columbia include banning masks at protests; increasing campus police authority; and placing the Middle East, South Asian, and African Studies department under external oversight.
ADL Report Finds Wikipedia Editors Actively Promoting Anti-Israel Bias
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) announced the results of an investigation that uncovered a network of 30 Wikipedia editors – volunteer moderators for the popular information websites – who worked together to publish anti-Israel narratives and antisemitic content across the platform, in violation of the site’s policies. According to the ADL report, these editors contributed at twice the rate of typical users and communicated 18 times more frequently to manipulate articles.
Hillel International President and CEO Adam Lehman: Increasing Jewish Belonging on Campus and Beyond
In a recent update, Adam Lehman, president and CEO of Hillel International, discussed the organization’s work to combat antisemitism and empower Jewish student leadership. He highlighted key initiatives, including the Northeast Hillels A Cappella Competition and the Hillel International Israel Summit, as well as Hillel’s global growth. Lehman emphasized these efforts as essential to creating a strong Jewish campus community for students.
University of Chicago Condemns Vandalism of Installation Honoring Kfir Bibas
In a rare public statement, the University of Chicago (UChicago) recently condemned an incident of anti-Israel vandalism on campus, in which an installation created by student group Maroons for Israel honoring Kfir Bibas was defaced. The statement and police investigation into the incident comes amid increased scrutiny from the Federal Task Force to Combat Antisemitism which is evaluating UChicago’s handling of antisemitism on its campus.
Cornell SJP Chapter Faces Potential Suspension Over Disruption of Peace Panel
Cornell University is considering suspending its chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), along with students who disrupted a “Pathways to Peace” panel featuring Israeli, Palestinian, and American leaders. The protest, led by SJP, drew condemnation from the university, with Interim President Michael Kotlikoff stressing that such actions hinder open dialogue.
Columbia Revokes Degrees and Suspends Students Involved in April 2024 Takeover of Hamilton Hall
Columbia University revoked degrees and issued suspensions for students involved in an anti-Israel protest at Hamilton Hall last spring. During the protest, participants stormed and occupied Hamilton Hall, while vandalizing the building and refusing to allow university staff members to leave, leading to police intervention. Brian Cohen, executive director of Columbia Barnard Hillel, called the decision “An important first step in righting the wrongs of the past year and a half,” expressing gratitude to the university’s administration for taking action.
Federal Task Force Cuts $400 Million in Funding to Columbia University Due to Antisemitism
The U.S. Task Force to Combat Antisemitism canceled $400 million in federal grants and contracts with Columbia University, citing the institution’s lack of response to persistent harassment of Jewish students. Columbia responded in a statement, saying: “We take Columbia’s legal obligations seriously…and are committed to combatting antisemitism and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our students, faculty, and staff.”
Hillel Students at Emerson College Attend Screening of ‘October 8’ Documentary Following Anti-Israel Protests
Faculty at Emerson College hosted a screening of the documentary October 8 following anti-Israel protests and increased antisemitic incidents on campus. The screening provided insight into the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and its aftermath, sparking a campus-wide discussion about the connections between politics, activism, and antisemitism.
Anti-Israel Protests Erupt at Columbia University During Visit from Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett
Anti-Israel demonstrators gathered outside Columbia University to protest a talk by former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. The protesters chanted anti-Israel slogans and condemned Bennett’s visit, with some attempting to disrupt the event inside. Despite the protests, Bennett’s speech proceeded as scheduled, with heightened security in place.
NYPD Arrests 9 Anti-Israel Protesters at Barnard College
The NYPD arrested nine anti-Israel protesters during a sit-in at Barnard College’s Milstein Center for Teaching and Learning that violated college policy. The protest followed the recent expulsion of two students involved in disruptions of a class about the history of Israel. After Barnard received a bomb threat targeting the center, an evacuation order was issued. Despite warnings, some protesters refused to leave, leading to their arrest for trespassing.