Crackdown on Campus Antisemitism: Columbia University and Federal Actions Intensify

Feb 4

Executive Summary

Columbia University has launched an investigation into a recent act of vandalism at its School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) and Business School, where anti-Israel demonstrators clogged restrooms with cement and spray-painted antisemitic messages. The incident is the latest in a series of campus-related antisemitic actions, prompting a stronger response from the administration. In response to growing concerns about antisemitism on campuses nationwide, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing federal agencies to identify and punish individuals engaged in antisemitic acts, including the deportation of foreign students participating in anti-Israel demonstrations.

Additionally, new bipartisan legislation—the Protect Economic Freedom Act—has been introduced to deny federal student aid to universities that engage in boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) activities against Israel. A recent study from Brandeis University further highlights the growing hostility toward Jews and Israel on American college campuses, with one-third of non-Jewish students reportedly holding anti-Israel or antisemitic beliefs.

These developments reflect a broader effort by both university administrators and the federal government to combat campus antisemitism amid ongoing tensions related to the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Analysis

Columbia University’s Response to Antisemitic Vandalism

Columbia University has faced increasing scrutiny over its handling of antisemitic incidents since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. The latest act of vandalism—where demonstrators clogged toilets with cement and defaced buildings with antisemitic graffiti—has triggered an internal investigation. The university administration, working alongside law enforcement, has vowed to hold the perpetrators accountable, signaling a shift toward a more proactive approach compared to past incidents.

The graffiti included targeted messages against SIPA Dean Keren Yarhi-Milo and NYPD Deputy Commissioner Rebecca Weiner, as well as references to Hind Rajab, a Palestinian girl killed in the Gaza war. Pro-Palestinian groups, including Columbia University Apartheid Divest and Students for Justice in Palestine, claimed responsibility for the vandalism.

In response to a separate antisemitic disruption in a History of Modern Israel class, Columbia suspended a university affiliate who participated in a masked demonstration where individuals banged drums, chanted “Free Palestine,” and distributed materials advocating for the elimination of Zionism. Additionally, the university has restricted access to a SIPA group chat after it became a platform for antisemitic rhetoric.

Trump’s Executive Order and Deportation Review

In a significant federal response, President Trump signed an executive order directing government agencies to review legal measures for identifying and punishing individuals engaged in antisemitic activities. The order calls for the Justice Department to investigate campus-related antisemitic threats and vandalism, while the Department of Homeland Security and State Department will assess ways to deport foreign nationals—including students on visas—who violate U.S. laws in connection with anti-Israel activism.

Trump’s action comes amid a Republican-led congressional report that condemned universities for allowing antisemitism to flourish on campuses. The report focused heavily on Columbia University, where pro-Palestinian encampments featured documented instances of harassment against Jewish students. Trump’s initiative is expected to increase pressure on universities to enforce stricter policies against antisemitic behavior.

Legislation to Deny Federal Funding to BDS-Engaged Universities

Parallel to Trump’s executive order, bipartisan lawmakers have introduced the Protect Economic Freedom Act, which seeks to block federal student aid to universities that participate in commercial boycotts of Israel. The bill mirrors existing U.S. policies that prohibit participation in unsanctioned foreign boycotts and aims to counter the influence of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement.

The legislation was introduced by Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), who argue that universities supporting BDS threaten the U.S.-Israel alliance and contribute to antisemitic hostility on campuses. The bill also mandates the Department of Education to publicly list institutions that fail to certify compliance.

Brandeis Study: Rising Antisemitism on College Campuses

A new study from Brandeis University’s Maurice and Marilyn Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies reveals troubling data on student attitudes toward Jews and Israel. Key findings include:

15% of non-Jewish college students hold hostile views toward Israel, including the belief that Israel has no right to exist.
24% would not befriend someone who supports Israel as a Jewish state, effectively ostracizing Jewish peers.
16% express antisemitic attitudes, believing in stereotypes such as Jewish control over politics and the economy.
17% of students attended pro-Palestinian events, while only 9% participated in pro-Israel activities.

These findings highlight the growing challenge of antisemitism on campuses, prompting calls for stronger disciplinary action against students engaging in hate speech and harassment. The study’s authors urge universities to go beyond condemning antisemitism and take tangible steps, such as suspending or expelling students who promote hatred against Jews.

Future Implications

With increasing pressure from both the federal government and academic institutions, the response to antisemitism on campuses is shifting from passive condemnation to active enforcement. Columbia University’s renewed commitment to holding students accountable, Trump’s executive order, and pending legislation against BDS-aligned institutions indicate a more aggressive stance against antisemitism in higher education.

However, universities may face legal and political challenges in implementing these measures, particularly regarding free speech concerns. While hate speech is largely protected under U.S. law, federal courts have ruled that non-citizens, including student visa holders, do not have the same speech protections as U.S. citizens. The effectiveness of these new policies will depend on how universities balance free expression with the need to protect Jewish students from targeted discrimination.