Antisemitism Surges On U.S. College Campuses
Biden Administration announces new steps to help Jewish students feel safe
Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up!
BOO! Did we scare you?
Happy Halloween everyone! 🎃👻🕸️
Whether you’re trick-or-treating or cozying up for a scary movie tonight, one thing’s for sure: adults want candy too. What will you be reaching for?
Reeses cups, M&Ms, and hot tamales topped the list of most popular Halloween candy this year— and, love it or hate it, candy corn clawed its way back into the top ten.
If you’re staying in, here’s who you can expect at your door: Barbie, Spider-Man, and Wednesday Addams were some of the most searched costume ideas in the U.S. this year.
Wishing you a magical and haunted Halloween!
Mosheh, Jill, & Courtney
🗞 JEWISH STUDENTS FACE SURGE OF ANTISEMITISM ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES
Alarming acts of antisemitism have been escalating on college campuses and threatening the safety of Jewish students since the Hamas massacre on October 7th. From anti-Israel rhetoric to calls for violence, Jewish students say they are scared to be on campus, and in many cases, feel hurt and betrayed by the lack of support from their university leaders.
THE WHITE HOUSE PLAN
The White House announced new action Monday to fight antisemitism on college campuses, as a surge in vitriol against Jews stokes fears.
Under the Biden administration’s plan, the Department of Homeland Security and the Justice Department will team up with campus and local police to track hate-related rhetoric online.
They’ll also provide federal resources to schools.
The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights is also “(expediting) its update of the intake process for discrimination complaints under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, to specifically state that certain forms of Antisemitism and Islamophobia are prohibited by this law.”
The Education Department will also host webinars on how to file reports.
RECENT INCIDENTS
Some Jewish students say they’re living in fear at some of our country’s most acclaimed, prestigious universities:
Cornell: Over the weekend, messages posted anonymously on a message board threatened gun violence and rape against Cornell’s Jewish community, and were accompanied by the Arabic chant “Allahu Akbar.”
One post said, ”Watch out Jews, Jihad is coming.” Another read, “Israel deserved 10/7.” And one of the most horrific: “I will bring an assault rifle to campus and shoot all you pig Jews. Jews are human animals and deserve a pigs death.”
The FBI is now investigating these threats and has vowed to track down the individuals behind them.
It comes just days after a Cornell professor called the Hamas terror attacks on Israel “exhilarating” and “energizing” during a pro-Palestine rally.
Columbia: More than 100 faculty members at Columbia University signed a letter defending students who justified the Hamas terror attack as “military action.” It sparked public uproar and accusations of complicity by university leaders in fighting hatred toward Jews.
Columbia students are now pleading for action from the school’s leaders after several antisemitic incidents: “The university’s inaction has made us question whether Columbia University can actually maintain an environment where all students feel welcome,” one studen said.
Harvard: Harvard University’s president failed to initially condemn a statement from students praising Hamas’ attacks and blaming Israel for the Hamas attack. It took Harvard’s President three statements and uproar from students, faculty, and wealthy alumni donors to staunchly condemn Hamas.
Yesterday, Harvard launched an anti-Semitism advisory board amid a wave of antisemitism on campus.
New York University: NYU students protested with antisemitic signs that pictured Jewish stars in trash cans and read “please keep the world clean.”
George Washington University: A student group at GWU projected antisemitic messages on campus buildings perceived as pro Hamas that included “glory to the martyrs.” The incident received national attention was condemned by the White House.
Cooper Union: Jewish students at Cooper Union in the East Village were barricaded inside their school library as a group of protesters carrying Palestinian flags blew past security and pounded on the doors chanting for the murder of Jews.
IT’S NOT JUST COLLEGE
The sharp rise in antisemitism is being seen across the globe.
In Germany, officials condemned the country’s recent increase in anti-Jewish violence, warning that it risks transporting the country back to its “most horrific times.”
London police reported a 1,353% rise in antisemitic hate crimes since Hamas’ onslaught
Rioters at the Sydney Opera House in Australia chanted, “Gas the Jews!”
Rioters stormed a Russian airport to hunt Jews that were rumored to be coming off a flight from Tel Aviv. The mob stormed the tarmac as the plane was landing, forcing the passengers to rush back onto the plane.
ANTISEMITISM: BY THE NUMBERS
Back in the US: According to FBI data, Jews make up just 2% of the population but are the target of 51.4% of hate crimes — the most of any religion.
From October 7th up until last Monday — a two week period — antisemitic attacks increased 388% compared with the same two-week period last year— and they were already elevated.
⏳ SPEED READ
🚨NATION
📌 Autoworkers strike is over as union and GM reach potential deal (NBC NEWS)
📌 Cops were sent to Maine gunman’s home weeks before massacres amid concern he ‘is going to snap and commit a mass shooting’ (CNN)
📌 More Chinese migrants are crossing Panama’s jungle to come to the U.S. (NBC NEWS)
📌 Student loan processor Mohela punished for millions of late billing notices (WSJ)
🌎 AROUND THE WORLD
📌 Israeli forces push deeper into Gaza as first hostage rescued (FINANCIAL TIMES)
📌 Meta to launch subscriptions for ad-free Facebook and Instagram in Europe (NBC NEWS)
📌 Shani Louk, 23-year-old kidnapped by Hamas from music festival, found dead, Israel says (CNN)
📌 Nearly 100 are dead or missing in Mexico from Hurricane Otis (NBC NEWS)
📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH
📌 Biden's "aggressive" AI order will make firms share some test data (AXIOS)
📌 Google CEO calls search ‘very competitive’ in defending Apple deal (WASHINGTON POST)
📌 Pharmageddon: Pharmacy staff from CVS, Walgreens stores in US start 3-day walkout (REUTERS)
📌 FDA warns consumers against using 26 eye drop products because of infection risk (CBS NEWS)
🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
📌 Friends cast reacts to Matthew Perry’s death (VARIETY)
📌 FIFA bans Luis Rubiales for 3 years for misconduct at Women's World Cup final (ABC NEWS)
📌 Taylor Swift breaks her own Spotify record (CNN)
📌 Celebrity Halloween costumes 2023: Keke Palmer, Kourtney Kardashian, and more (TEEN VOGUE)
📌 ‘Hunger Games’ prequel ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ lands SAG-AFTRA interim agreement (VARIETY)
🗓 ON THIS DAY: OCTOBER 31
1922: Benito Mussolini became prime minister of Italy; he was the first of Europe's fascist dictators in the 20th century.
1941: After nearly 15 years of work, the Mount Rushmore National Memorial in the Black Hills of South Dakota was completed; the colossal sculpture features the heads of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. The site is controversial as it is built on land the US government kicked Sioux Native Americans off of.
1968: U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson ordered an end to American bombing in North Vietnam.
1975: Queen released 'Bohemian Rhapsody.'