Amid increasing concerns over campus climates nationwide, recent reports reveal a disturbing trend of antisemitism at universities across the United States, including in New York. According to a report by The New York Post, a civil rights group released “report cards” showing a failure by institutions to protect Jewish students from harassment and discrimination. With schools such as Cornell University and The New School receiving a dismal “F” grade, the study underscores troubling experiences shared by Jewish students, with 52% reporting being victims of antisemitism.
The situation in New York City echoes a larger, national distress. The report highlighted that 72% of Jewish students feel unwelcome in certain campus areas, and 67% believe their universities did not take adequate action to ensure safety, particularly after the Hamas massacre in Israel on October 7, 2023. Designed to face a significant surge in reported antisemitic incidents, a “jaw-dropping” 3,000% increase since the Israeli massacre, the group StopAntisemitism found themselves forced to triple the size of their organization.
However, an independent review of the City University of New York (CUNY) mandated by Governor Kathy Hochul and detailed in a New York Times report offers a contrasting perspective. The review conducted by former chief judge Jonathan Lippman suggests that while there is a substantial problem with antisemitism, it stems from a "small, vocal minority of individuals." Still, the report documented inconsistencies in handling complaints and recommended an overhaul of policies and establishment of a dedicated center to combat hate, initiatives CUNY has commenced to enforce.
In the wake of these disturbing trends, responses have been mixed. Yehudit Meira Biton, who withdrew from Brooklyn College over the handling of antisemitic claims, expressed relief at the proposed changes. "I'm very happy that they are finally doing something," she told The New York Times. Conversely, Parima Kadikar from the CUNY School of Law criticized the report, fearing its impact on student activism. "The report disingenuously smears student activism and threatens to overhaul students’ rights to call for Palestinian lives and liberation," she said.
