Understanding and Addressing Anti-Semitism on College Campuses: A Stanford Perspective Featuring Larry Diamond and Jeffrey Koseff
In a recent America at a Crossroads discussion, Larry Diamond and Jeffrey Koseff, both professors at Stanford University, shared their findings on the rise of anti-Semitism on American college campuses, with a particular focus on Stanford. Their investigation comes in the wake of troubling incidents of anti-Semitism and anti-Israel bias following the October 7th Hamas attack on Israel. This blog explores their insights, highlighting how anti-Semitism is manifesting at universities and what can be done to address it.
The Growing Problem of Anti-Semitism on Campuses
Anti-Semitism has long been a challenge in American higher education, but recent global events have intensified its presence on college campuses. “Anti-Semitism on American college campuses has been a significant problem since the October 7th Hamas attack on Southern Israel,” said Larry Mantle, moderator of the discussion. These events triggered protests and incidents of hate across universities, leaving Jewish and Israeli students in an increasingly hostile environment.
Diamond and Koseff were tasked with leading a subcommittee at Stanford to explore how anti-Semitism and anti-Israel bias were affecting the campus community. Their investigation, which included over 50 listening sessions with students, faculty, parents, and alumni, uncovered disturbing accounts of prejudice and hostility. As Koseff pointed out, “Students were besieged by a sense of just being isolated and marginalized…It happened almost – it started away…”
The panel’s findings were not unique to Stanford. Similar incidents have been reported at other prominent universities like Columbia and UCLA, indicating that anti-Semitism is a widespread issue in American higher education.
Formation of the Stanford Subcommittee on Anti-Semitism
The creation of Stanford’s subcommittee was prompted by both historical and recent events. A few years prior, Stanford had investigated allegations of an anti-Semitic admissions policy that existed during the 1950s and 60s, leading to the establishment of a Committee on Jewish Life. After the October 7th events, the university quickly repurposed this committee, forming a subcommittee specifically to address anti-Semitism and anti-Israel bias.
Jeffrey Koseff explained how this came about: “They took that committee and then created a subcommittee… to focus specifically on the questions that we addressed, which is to characterize the state of anti-Semitism at Stanford and then make suggestions or recommendations about what to do about it.”
The subcommittee’s mandate expanded beyond anti-Semitism to include anti-Israel bias, recognizing the interconnectedness of these issues on campus.
Disturbing Incidents at Stanford
One of the most alarming aspects of the subcommittee’s work was the documentation of anti-Semitic incidents at Stanford. These incidents ranged from symbolic acts of hate to direct threats against Jewish students. Some of the most troubling examples included mezuzahs being torn down from door frames, swastikas being drawn, and vile social media posts.
Larry Diamond recounted, “We have a social media channel that students… that is not moderated… and therefore is a sewer for a lot of hatred… Someone wrote, ‘You should be waterboarded with petrol and lit on fire.’” These hate-fueled statements not only shocked the committee but also shed light on how pervasive and dangerous the atmosphere had become for Jewish and Israeli students.
Diamond also emphasized that the problem was not unique to Stanford. He mentioned a report from Columbia University, noting, “If you want to get even angrier, read the report of our sister committee at Columbia University… I don’t think Stanford is even close to being the worst instance of this problem in higher education.”
Comparisons with Other Universities
Stanford is not alone in grappling with this crisis. Other elite institutions, including Columbia University and UCLA, have reported similar or even more severe cases of anti-Semitism. While physical violence has not been as prevalent at Stanford, students at other universities have faced such threats. Columbia University’s committee report, for example, highlighted more intense physical intimidation and hate crimes.
The incidents on various campuses showcase a disturbing pattern of anti-Semitic behavior and anti-Israel sentiment, often exacerbated by external events like the Israel-Hamas conflict. Diamond warned that while some universities may have more extreme cases of anti-Semitism, the problem is widespread and must be addressed holistically across American higher education.
The Emotional Toll on Students
As the subcommittee conducted its listening sessions, one theme became clear: Jewish and Israeli students felt besieged and isolated on campus. The events of October 7th and the backlash that followed left many students feeling unsafe and unsupported by the university administration.
In many cases, students didn’t even have time to process the tragic events unfolding in Israel before they were forced into the defensive. The relentless accusations and hate speech directed toward them made it difficult for these students to feel part of the broader campus community. The emotional toll of these experiences cannot be understated, as it affected their ability to learn, engage, and express their views openly.
Balancing Free Speech with Hate Speech
One of the most difficult aspects of addressing anti-Semitism on campus is navigating the line between free speech and hate speech. American universities are legally bound to protect free speech, even when that speech may include controversial or uncomfortable opinions. However, when does free speech cross the line into hate speech?
Koseff and Diamond were clear in their view: while students have the right to voice critical opinions about Israel, this should never cross into anti-Semitism. “We need to be able to have difficult conversations… but do it in a way that’s respectful and nonthreatening,” Koseff said. Diamond added, “It’s legally acceptable… but that doesn’t mean it’s morally acceptable.” The key challenge for universities is finding ways to protect free speech while condemning hate speech and ensuring the safety of their students.
About America at a Crossroads
Since April 2020, America at a Crossroads has produced weekly virtual programs on topics related to the preservation of our democracy, voting rights, freedom of the press, and a wide array of civil rights, including abortion rights, free speech, and free press. America at a Crossroads is a project of Jews United for Democracy & Justice.