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In this op-ed, Jacob M. Miller, a Harvard senior and former president of Harvard Hillel, argues that the university’s emphasis on defining antisemitism within pro-Palestine and anti-Zionist activism overlooks broader moral issues within the anti-Israel movement. Miller contends that certain actions and rhetoric from pro-Palestine groups, while not always antisemitic by definition, warrant criticism for their insensitivity and potential to incite violence, writing: “Our excoriation of the anti-Israel movement should be based on protesters’ simplistic thinking, extremist rhetoric, support of violence, and denial of Jewish religious teaching and history.”

Penn Hillel was honored with the 2025 Sharon Greene Award for Campus Advocacy at the AJC Global Policy Forum in New York City. The award recognizes leadership in countering antisemitism on campus, and is awarded to students and campus organizations that lead the way in combating antisemitism and discrimination. Ben Messafi, student vice president of Penn Hillel, accepted the award on behalf of the organization.

Yale University revoked the official student group status of Yalies4Palestine after the group violated campus protest policies and triggered concerns about antisemitic behavior during a recent demonstration. The student club lost access to campus spaces and university funding, while Yale continues investigating reports of antisemitism connected to the protest.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) recorded 9,354 reported antisemitic incidents in 2024 — the highest since tracking began in 1979 and a 5% rise from 2023. The report marks the fourth consecutive year of record incident numbers, with New York and California reporting the most incidents. ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt linked the spike to the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas attack, warning that Jewish Americans are being targeted daily for their identity.

Arizona State University (ASU) hosted the ADL Desert 2025 Conference on Antisemitism and Hate, attended by over 450 people, including ASU students and faculty. During the conference, student leaders and ASU Hillel Executive Director Debbie Yunker Kail shared their personal experiences with antisemitism on campus. “Hearing directly from students about how it’s impacting them is really critical for people’s understanding,” said Yunker Kail.

In this op-ed, Jon Falk, Vice President of Hillel International’s Israel Action and Addressing Antisemitism Program, reflects upon how Jewish students are leading campus efforts to combat antisemitism on campus. Students are organizing educational events, advocating for policy changes, and representing Jewish voices in student government. Hillel supports these critical student-led efforts by providing resources, leadership training, and a welcoming Jewish community.