Digital Library
Anti-Israel Activism on U.S. Campuses, 2022-2023
Topic:
Antisemitism & Antizionism, Israel & Regional Politics
Principal Investigators:
Center on Extremism
Study Date:
2023
Source:
Center on Extremism,Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
Key Findings:
This report is ADL’s annual assessment of anti-Israel activism on U.S. college campuses.
ADL tallied 665 campus anti-Israel incidents during the 2022-2023 academic year: zero instances of physical assault; nine instances of vandalism; 24 instances of harassment; 303 events; 326 protests/actions; and three BDS resolutions. Many but not all incidents may be characterized as antisemitic.
Although the total number of incidents nearly doubled from 2021-2022, they remained similar in two of the most important categories: the number of physical assaults declined from one to zero, and instances of vandalism declined from 11 to nine. However, the number of BDS resolutions surveyed across undergraduate institutions, faculty/staff unions and graduate student programs fell, from 20 to three. All three resolutions passed in undergraduate student bodies. Additionally, there was a small increase in instances of harassment, from 19 to 24.
Various student groups, particularly Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapters, openly endorse or celebrate individuals and organizations designated as terrorist by the U.S. State Department, such as Hamas, Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). These expressions of support often accompany slogans justifying violence against Israel as a response to perceived occupation.
Notable incidents include SJP chapters sharing images featuring guns and terrorist logos, commemorating leaders of designated terrorist organizations, and praising acts of violence such as rocket attacks on Israel. Additionally, there were instances where SJP chapters venerated individuals with terrorist affiliations, such as Leila Khaled, known for her involvement in hijackings.
The presence of classic antisemitic tropes on college campuses includes the propagation of conspiracy theories about Jewish/Zionist control and the dissemination of derogatory rhetoric against Jews and Zionists (for example, accusations of Zionist influence in academia and the suggestion that violent acts committed by terrorist groups are justified responses to Israeli policies).
Additionally, the researchers examine the funding and support networks behind campus anti-Israel groups, such as Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), and American Muslims for Palestine (AMP). These groups receive financial support from student government resources, outside donors, and non-profit organizations, which enable them to organize events, campaigns, and advocacy efforts on campuses across the United States.
Methodology:
ADL researchers gathered the incidents featured in this report primarily using open-source research methods. Much of their data on campus anti-Israel incidents was compiled by monitoring publicly available information posted online by anti-Israel activists themselves. Other information came from incidents reported to ADL by students and faculty, as well as student newspapers and other news media. Important insights were also gleaned from the work of other organizations, including the Israel on Campus Coalition (ICC), Hillel and AMCHA Initiative. In cases where information was obtained from the media or from third parties, ADL always sought out primary sources to substantiate the reporting. ADL did not include unsubstantiated incidents.