By: Krug Stillo

Students at a New York City university voted to strip funding from a Jewish campus organization over alleged ties to international law violations, triggering swift backlash from school officials and community leaders, according to a report by the New York Post.

As the New York Post reported, the student senate at The New School approved a resolution declaring the school’s Hillel chapter “not in good standing” and seeking to cut off its funding. The move, passed by a 22-member body, marked what critics described as an unprecedented step against a major Jewish student group.

The New York Post reported that student lawmakers justified the decision by claiming Hillel’s programs and affiliations — including trips to Israel and activities involving the Israeli military — amounted to “violations of international law.”

According to the New York Post, the student government argued that because all students pay fees that help fund campus organizations, continuing to support Hillel would make the broader student body complicit in those alleged violations.

The New York Post reported that the decision was laid out in an extensive report produced by student leaders, which cited programs such as Birthright Israel trips and volunteer initiatives connected to Israeli military bases as the basis for their claims.

However, university officials quickly pushed back. As the New York Post reported, administrators said the student senate does not have the authority to revoke funding or official recognition from campus organizations, emphasizing that such decisions rest solely with the school.

In a statement cited by the New York Post, the university made clear that the Hillel chapter “remains in good standing” and continues to be eligible for funding, effectively nullifying the student vote.

The New York Post reported that the controversy has sparked strong reactions from Jewish organizations and local officials, many of whom condemned the move as an attack on Jewish life on campus.

Mark Treyger, CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, told the New York Post the decision was “dangerous,” warning that targeting Hillel risks marginalizing Jewish students and undermining their sense of belonging.

Similarly, city officials voiced alarm. The New York Post reported that New York City Council Member Eric Dinowitz described the vote as “despicable,” calling it a direct assault on Jewish student life and urging the university to intervene.

Hillel leaders also forcefully rejected the allegations. As the New York Post reported, the organization’s national leadership said the claims were unfounded and rooted in harmful stereotypes, vowing to continue supporting Jewish students on campus.

The New York Post noted that Hillel serves as a central hub for Jewish student life at hundreds of colleges nationwide, providing spaces for religious observance, cultural events, and community building.

Supporters of the student senate’s action, however, argue that universities should hold student organizations accountable for international human rights concerns and ensure that campus funding aligns with those principles.