A new survey shows a majority of Jewish students across US campuses feel unsafe since the outbreak of the Gaza war.
The survey conducted by the Israel on Campus Coalition (ICC) shows that 73% of Jewish student respondents “feel less safe” since Oct. 7, and that 65% said the numerous Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) resolutions passed by university governments pose a threat to Jewish campus life everywhere. Furthermore, 77% of participants view the BDS movement as antisemitic, while an overwhelming 81% stress the importance of using their voices to support the Jewish community on campus.
“Imagine if 81 percent of students from any other group felt targeted and unwelcome on campus,” ICC CEO Jacob Baime told The Algemeiner. “For Jewish students, that’s the disturbing reality due to BDS votes. BDS is not about free speech. It’s about free hate. It’s time for university leaders to step in and cancel these votes.”
“Despite these challenges, Jewish students have shown remarkable resilience, proudly standing up for Israel and their Jewish identity, as we have been supporting students around the clock,” he added. “Their strength and their determination in the face of adversity will only make them stronger as they continue to encounter antisemitism on campus after they graduate.”
Data from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) shows an unprecedented spike in antisemitism on college campuses following the Hamas attack in October that left 1,200 Israelis dead and hundreds kidnapped. Specifically, from Oct. 7 to Dec. 18, there were 470 reported antisemitic incidents at colleges, marking a 323% increase from the year before.
