In an unprecedented display of unity and resolve, members of the World Jewish Congress (WJC) NextGen have taken significant action amidst a disturbing rise in antisemitism and anti-Israel activity at universities around the world. Over 80 NextGen members from 25+ countries and 55+ campuses came together to sign on to an open letter urging university administrators to take action to protect their Jewish students. This response comes at a crucial time, following the replication of an encampment originally staged at Columbia University across dozens of campuses, where Jewish students have been targeted with vile antisemitic slurs and harassment.
This surge of hostility has also seen the passing of several BDS resolutions across campuses in the United States, fueling an environment that many describe as increasingly inhospitable to Jewish students. Amid these challenges, NextGen members from 25 different countries have crafted an open letter to university administrations worldwide, calling for urgent measures to protect students and clamp down on hate-driven activities.
The letter, a heartfelt plea for action, has been sent to over 100 university presidents across the United States and internationally. It stresses the vital role that educational institutions must play in not only curbing antisemitism but also in fostering an atmosphere of safety and inclusivity for all students. "Universities should be bastions of learning and growth, not arenas of fear and hostility," the letter states, urging administrators to take definitive steps towards safeguarding all members of their communities.
This week, WJC NextGen intern Elliot Sadoff discussed the hostile climate on Columbia's campus in an interview with Fox News. His firsthand account highlighted the immediate and severe impact of such environments on students, emphasizing the urgency of administrative intervention.
As this letter circulates among university leaders and the issue gains broader attention, the global academic community is called upon to respond decisively. The efforts of WJC NextGen underscore a collective commitment to combating antisemitism and ensuring that universities remain places of safety and respect, free from the scourge of bigotry and hate.
