In recent days, there has been a shift in the response of some college leaders to anti-Israel protests on campuses, with several colleges taking disciplinary actions against students involved in disruptive protests that are perceived as antisemitic. At Pomona College, students who participated in a protest were warned of immediate suspension, while other Claremont Colleges students would face discipline on their own campuses. The protests, which have taken place at various colleges across the country since the conflict in Israel last year, have led to arrests and heightened tensions on campuses, leaving Jewish students feeling unsafe.
Jewish students nationwide have reported feeling increasingly unsafe on campuses due to rising cases of antisemitism, prompting calls for school leaders to take action. Some students have even filed lawsuits against schools for allegedly not adequately addressing antisemitic incidents. The war in Israel last year served as a “moment of reckoning” for colleges, according to Israel’s special envoy for combating antisemitism, leading to increased scrutiny of how universities handle such issues.
In response to the rising incidents of anti-Israel protests, more college leaders are cracking down on disruptive activities on campus. The University of Michigan has introduced a new disruptive activity policy following calls for divestment from companies supplying weapons to the Israeli military. Vanderbilt University has expelled three students, suspended another, and placed 20 on probation for participating in a sit-in protest that resulted in arrests. Columbia University has also suspended students who attended an event featuring a speaker associated with a designated terrorist organization.
Some colleges are still dealing with chaotic protests, such as Rutgers University, where police had to escort Jewish students and officials out of a town hall discussing boycotts and divestment from Israel. In the wake of the resignations of Harvard and Penn’s presidents, other schools have implemented restrictions on protests. American University has banned indoor demonstrations, Barnard College has banned public protests, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst prevented students who participated in nonviolent protests from joining a study abroad program. School leaders are stressing the importance of respect and adherence to rules in order to maintain a safe environment on campus.
As incidents of antisemitism and anti-Israel protests continue to rise on college campuses, President Gabrielle Starr of Pomona College has taken a strong stance against disruptive actions that target Jewish students. Other college leaders are following suit, expelling, suspending, or warning students involved in such protests. The increased attention on these issues comes after Jewish students reported feeling unsafe and targeted on campuses, leading to calls for school leaders to take decisive action.
Despite the crackdown on anti-Israel protests, some colleges are still grappling with demonstrations that disrupt campus activities and create tension among students. As colleges navigate how to address these issues, there is a growing recognition of the need to enforce rules and policies to maintain a respectful and inclusive environment for all students. The recent actions taken by various colleges reflect a shift in how school leaders are responding to antisemitic incidents and anti-Israel protests on campuses, aiming to create a safer and more welcoming space for all students.
