FOLLOW US

The war that broke out in Israel after Hamas' invasion continues to have international ramifications. Many nations, particularly Western ones, are backing Israel and giving the Middle Eastern country necessary assets for self-defense.

Around the world, people aren't hesitating to show their support for Israel, Palestine, and/or Hamas. Some folks have expressed an interest in a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine. Others feel that ship has sailed.

In some of the more extreme cases, radical backers of Palestine are coming out as pro-Hamas, deeming the terrorist group as "freedom fighters."

Unfortunately, the conflict in the Middle East also led to rising instances of antisemitism across multiple countries. Here in America, college students who attend some of our nation's most prestigious universities acknowledge just how problematic this is.

College students on the rise of antisemitism after October 7

The U.S. News & World Report recently revealed that 67% of students at America's 25 top universities believe antisemitism is an issue on their campuses. Only 33% of students said the opposite about a rise in hatred towards Jewish individuals.

These numbers track with the growth of pro-Palestine demonstrations happening across American colleges. Many of these protests have turned violent and forced law enforcement to intervene.

Even before the latest wave of anti-Israel demonstrations at our nation's universities, reports surfaced of hostility directed towards Jews. In one of the most appalling cases yet, Jewish Students at Cooper Union were locked into a library as enraged, pro-Palestine demonstrators violently banged on the door.

Colleges and universities have a responsibility to act

Across our country's colleges and universities, students of all religions and other groups have the right to feel safe. Jewish students are not excluded from this.

While Americans who support Palestine maintain a constitutional right to protest, they don't have the right to lock Jews in libraries or form lines with their bodies to block the physical movement of Jews. There've been far too many cases of this - and other similar incidents - happening across America's colleges and universities.

History has already shown the world just how dangerous antisemitism is. As such, making sure that history doesn't repeat itself remains imperative.