Antisemitism on campus is a real problem − but headlines and government-proposed solutions don’t match the experience of most Jewish students

(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.)

Graham Wright , Brandeis University

(THE CONVERSATION) It’s been nearly two years since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 , attack on Israel and the subsequent start of the Israel-Hamas war – and still, antisemitism shows no sign of abating as one of the thorniest issues at American colleges and universities.

University administrators have responded in various ways to Jewish students’ reports of harassment and discrimination during and after pro-Palestinian protests in 2024 and 2025.

Some schools, such as Columbia and the University of Pennsylvania, have banned student organizations associated with the protests, expelled student protesters and instituted anti-bias training