Study Reveals Alarming Hostility: One-Third of Non-Jewish College Students in the U.S. Hold Anti-Jewish or Anti-Israel Views

Study Reveals Alarming Hostility: One-Third of Non-Jewish College Students in the U.S. Hold Anti-Jewish or Anti-Israel Views

Edited by:  Fern Sidman

The 2023-24 academic year witnessed a concerning rise in anti-Semitism and anti-Israel sentiment across college campuses in the United States, with a new study by Brandeis University’s Maurice and Marilyn Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies shedding light on the depth and complexity of these issues. According to a recently published report on The Jewish Telegraphic Agency web site, the study reveals that nearly one-third of non-Jewish students at American universities embraced ideas hostile to Jews or Israel, calling attention to the growing tensions that have led to disruptive protests and significant challenges for Jewish students.

According to the Brandeis study, approximately 15 percent of non-Jewish students surveyed expressed outright hostility toward Israel, with many of these students holding the belief that Israel has no right to exist. As was observed in the JTA report, this viewpoint reflects a broader trend of delegitimization that has been gaining traction on campuses, particularly in the context of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the heightened visibility of pro-Palestinian activism.

One of the most troubling findings is that nearly a quarter of non-Jewish students reported that they would not want to be friends with individuals who support Israel’s existence as a Jewish state. This sentiment effectively ostracizes a large portion of their Jewish peers, as supporting Israel is a central component of Jewish identity for many students, the JTA report indicated.  The social isolation that results from this attitude contributes to a hostile campus environment for Jewish students, making them feel unwelcome and marginalized.

The study also found that 16 percent of non-Jewish students harbored antisemitic beliefs without necessarily being hostile to Israel. These students endorsed enduring antisemitic stereotypes, such as the belief that Jews wield too much power in America. The JTA report noted that while these views are distinct from anti-Israel sentiment, they nonetheless contribute to a climate of antisemitism on campus, where Jewish students may face prejudice and discrimination based on their religious or ethnic identity.

A smaller, but particularly concerning, group of students—2 percent of those surveyed—were found to be hostile to both Jews and Israel. The report in the JTA also said that this group exhibited the highest levels of antisemitic attitudes, suggesting that for some students, opposition to Israel is intertwined with broader antisemitic beliefs.

Despite these alarming statistics, the study also offers a somewhat reassuring finding: the majority of non-Jewish students, 66 percent, were not hostile toward Jews or Israel, the JTA report revealed. This majority presents a potential allyship base for combating antisemitism and fostering a more inclusive campus environment. However, the significant minority of students who do hold hostile views poses a persistent challenge for university communities.

The findings from the Brandeis study provide critical context for understanding the widespread tensions over Israel and Gaza that erupted on campuses during the 2023-24 academic year. These tensions often manifested in the form of protests, some of which turned disruptive, prompting universities to respond with varying degrees of intervention and crackdown.

The study’s co-author, Len Saxe, emphasized that addressing antisemitism on college campuses is a “solvable problem,” but it requires a nuanced understanding of the diverse ways in which non-Jewish students perceive Jews and Israel, as was detailed in the JTA report.  The study does not suggest that there is a climate of universal anti-Jewish hatred on campuses, nor does it dismiss the legitimate concerns of Jewish students regarding antisemitism. Instead, it highlights that the hostile environment experienced by many Jewish students is driven by a minority of their peers who hold antagonistic views toward Israel and/or Jews.

This minority, while significant, has a disproportionate impact on the campus climate. The pervasive nature of their beliefs creates an atmosphere where Jewish students may feel that their identity is under constant scrutiny or attack, leading to feelings of alienation and fear, as was affirmed in the JTA report. This dynamic is particularly troubling in academic settings, which are meant to be spaces for open dialogue, intellectual exploration, and mutual respect.

The study revealed that 17% of non-Jewish students reported attending a pro-Palestinian event in the past year, while 23% posted pro-Palestinian content on social media. These activities, which were highly visible on many campuses, highlight the significant role that pro-Palestinian advocacy plays in shaping campus discourse, according to the information provided in the JTA report.  The prevalence of such advocacy reflects a broader trend of increasing support for Palestinian rights among students, often framed within the context of social justice and anti-colonialism.

Interestingly, the study found that only 9% of students reported engaging in pro-Israel activities, either in person or online.

The research highlights a strong correlation between progressive political beliefs and hostility toward Israel. Nearly 90% of students who were classified as hostile to Israel, but not to Jews, identified as liberal or very liberal. The JTA reported that this connection is particularly evident in the widespread support for the idea that “all land seized through colonization should be returned to indigenous peoples,” a belief that often extends to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, framing Israel as a colonial power.

This progressive hostility toward Israel contrasts with the more politically diverse group of students who hold antisemitic views without necessarily opposing Israel. Among those hostile to Jews but not Israel, 16% identified as conservative, 31% as moderate, and 53% as liberal or very liberal, the report added. This distribution mirrors the overall political breakdown of students, indicating that antisemitic attitudes are not confined to a specific political ideology but rather spread across the political spectrum.

The Brandeis study builds on earlier research that documented the experiences of Jewish students on campus, particularly in the wake of the Hamas-led October 7 attack that marked the beginning of the war in Gaza. The JTA reported that according to these earlier findings, a majority of Jewish students have perceived an increasingly hostile campus environment since the conflict began. This perception is compounded by the social pressure many Jewish students feel to take a public stance on Israel, as highlighted in a recent survey by Tufts University political scientist Eitan Hersh.

The Tufts survey found that while some Jewish students are actively hiding their Jewish identity to avoid confrontation, a larger number are becoming more assertive in expressing their Jewish identity and support for Israel, as was detailed in the JTA report.  This trend reflects a broader struggle within the Jewish student community, as they navigate an environment where their identities and beliefs are often subject to scrutiny and opposition.

Saxe and his team sought to quantify the prevalence of anti-Israel and antisemitic attitudes among non-Jewish college students. Their survey, which polled nearly 4,000 students across 60 universities with large Jewish populations, revealed some deeply troubling statistics.

Lamentably, the JTA report indicated that among the students surveyed, 19% agreed with the statement that “Israel does not have the right to exist,” while 24% stated that they “wouldn’t want to be friends with someone who supports the existence of Israel as a Jewish state.” These beliefs contribute to a climate of social exclusion for Jewish students, many of whom view support for Israel as an integral part of their identity.

Perhaps most alarmingly, 17% of non-Jewish students expressed a favorable view of Hamas, an Iranian-backed terror group that is recognized as such by the United States and many other countries. They meticulously planned and executed the barbaric massacre of 1200 Israelis and others on October 7^th.  This level of support for Hamas reflects a significant challenge in addressing the narratives and ideologies that have taken root on some campuses.

Another statement in the survey—”supporters of Israel control the media”—was endorsed by nearly 43% of non-Jewish students. The JTA report said that this belief perpetuates a classic antisemitic trope, suggesting that a significant portion of students subscribe to conspiracy theories that target Jews and Israel.