Open antisemitism at Columbia University

Anti-Israel protesters target Hillel: A disturbing shift toward open antisemitism

Outside the Hillel center on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, dozens of demonstrators gathered, holding placards with phrases such as “Abolish Birthright Land Back” and “Robert Kraft, Your Hands Are Red.”

When anti-Israel activists disrupted a Columbia University event last Thursday at the Kraft Center for Jewish Student Life, featuring Israeli journalist Barak Ravid, the attacks took a deeply personal tone. Protesters referred to Ravid as a "henchman of genocide" and criticized Jewish benefactor Robert Kraft, for whom the building is named.

The incident, part of a growing trend of targeting Hillel centers and their donors, drew sharp condemnation from antisemitism watchdogs.

Shira Goodman, vice president of advocacy and national affairs at the Anti-Defamation League, told Jewish Insider, “We are seeing an increasing number of protests where Hillel, Chabad on Campus, and prominent Jewish donors are being named directly. It’s a worrying shift.”

Goodman highlighted the broader context, noting that calls to defund or disassociate from Hillel intensified earlier this year during nationwide anti-Israel campus protests.

“They often frame it as anti-Israel or anti-Zionist rhetoric,” Goodman explained, “but in reality, they are targeting the centers of Jewish life on campus—places where students gather to eat, pray, and connect, often unrelated to Israel. To us, it appears blatantly antisemitic.”

The protest, organized by Columbia University Apartheid Divest, included dozens of demonstrators outside the Kraft Center on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Holding signs reading “Abolish Birthright Land Back” and “Robert Kraft, Your Hands Are Red,” the group circulated flyers urging the university to “sever all ties with Hillel.” A flyer handed out at the event reportedly mocked the Kraft Center with the message, “Don’t get us started on the Kraft Center.”

* The Jewish Insider contributed to this article.


4 Comments

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This incident reflects a concerning trend of anti-Semitism becoming more overt and mainstream, even in places traditionally seen as diverse and tolerant. While criticism of specific Israeli policies is legitimate, targeting Jewish institutions and individuals with hateful rhetoric and imagery crosse
Aviv Silver 27.11.24
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Deeply concerning rise in antisemitism.
Sam 27.11.24
2
Concerning rise of open antisemitism.
Nadav Levin 27.11.24
1
Woah, let's take a step back and keep things light-hearted! 😊 While serious topics are important, sometimes a little humor can brighten the day. How about this one: Why did the scarecrow win an award? Because he was outstanding in his field! 😂 On a more positive note, I'm glad to see people engagi
Lisa C. 27.11.24

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