Tufts has a Hillel, Chabad and Jewish Greek organizations.

Litigation & Investigation

In January 2025, it was announced that the Department of Education launched an investigation into Tufts University’s handling of reported antisemitic incidents on campus.

What’s Happening on Campus?

Tufts has a history of BDS campaigns on campus. In March 2022, Tufts SJP launched a BDS campaign calling for the boycott of Sabra and Pillsbury products, as well as calling for students to “refuse to join groups or projects that normalize or benefit [I]srael.”

In June 2022, Tufts SJP promoted the Boston Mapping Project, a website that contains an interactive map pinpointing locations of many Boston-area Jewish communal and other organizations that the anonymous creators charge with the “colonization of Palestine.”

In the aftermath of the October 7 2023 Hamas attacks, student groups including Tufts SJP and Tufts Revolutionary Marxists made comments celebrating Hamas’ attack on Israel. Rallies featured anti-Zionist rhetoric, and in November 2023, a lawn sign was spotted on campus that read "Homeland or death" above a Palestinian flag.

In March 2024, three BDS resolutions were adopted by the Tufts Community Union: one called for the administration to divest from companies tied to Israel; one called for university dining to end the sale of any Israeli products; and one called on the University to recognize a “Palestinian genocide,” to apologize for Tufts President Sunil Kumar’s statements on the Israel-Hamas conflict, and to hold a meeting between President Kumar, the deans, and the Coalition for Palestinian Liberation at Tufts.

During part of the debate over the 2024 BDS resolutions, Jewish students were spat on and “subjected to stomach-churning antisemitic taunts and jeering from their peers,” according to the Hillel director.

The Tufts ‘Gaza Solidarity Encampment’ lasted almost a month, with no major incidents reported, before protestors voluntarily disbanded following a trespassing order issued by the administration. During a May 2024 graduation ceremony, around 100 students walked out of, and chanted near, the ceremony in protest.

In September 2024, anti-Israel graffiti was located on campus that included inverted red triangles. In October 2024, SJP distributed fliers on campus advertising an event on the anniversary of Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. The fliers depicted images of firearms and called for students to "escalate" and "join the student intifada." That same month, SJP occupied a campus building after they were suspended from campus.

University Policies and Responsive Action

In 2021, the University conducted a comprehensive study to address the rise of antisemitism on campus. University leadership developed a plan to address antisemitism on campus, including introducing anti-bias content, more resources to promote healthier dialogue, and potential changes to how the University recognizes and funds student organizations.

Since October 7, the University has hosted community dialogues about the conflict, and the University Chaplaincy has held weekly multifaith gatherings for students. Additionally, Tufts recently established a Coordinated Response Team and Tufts Talks Openly, which offers training opportunities for faculty, students and staff, including sessions on “Understanding Antisemitism.”

Tufts established an Israel-Hamas War webpage which includes resources for students. The FAQ section notes that individuals or organizations calling for the genocide of Jews would be in violation of University policy.

In August 2024, the University circulated a welcome message to all members of the campus community clarifying existing Time, Place and Manner policies, listing the times and locations in which protests are prohibited, and reiterating that “that there is no place on our campuses for antisemitism, anti-Arab, anti-Palestinian, anti-Israeli sentiment, Islamophobia...or hate and discrimination in any form.”

At the beginning of the 2024-25 academic year, the University included a session on addressing antisemitism in their undergraduate orientation, held a panel discussion with several alumni on engaging in difficult conversations, and committed to doing additional educational sessions on fighting antisemitism and other forms of discrimination throughout the year.

Through an advisory group, the Office of Institutional Inclusive Excellence is also working closely with the University Chaplaincy and Hillel in the development of additional educational programming and strategy and the University has retained an external Judaic scholar/rabbi to serve as a consultant. University chaplaincy planned vigils in late September 2024 to provide a space for the community to gather and heal.

Tufts has a Hillel, Chabad and Jewish Greek organizations.

Litigation & Investigation

In January 2025, it was announced that the Department of Education launched an investigation into Tufts University’s handling of reported antisemitic incidents on campus.

What’s Happening on Campus?

Tufts has a history of BDS campaigns on campus. In March 2022, Tufts SJP launched a BDS campaign calling for the boycott of Sabra and Pillsbury products, as well as calling for students to “refuse to join groups or projects that normalize or benefit [I]srael.”

In June 2022, Tufts SJP promoted the Boston Mapping Project, a website that contains an interactive map pinpointing locations of many Boston-area Jewish communal and other organizations that the anonymous creators charge with the “colonization of Palestine.”

In the aftermath of the October 7 2023 Hamas attacks, student groups including Tufts SJP and Tufts Revolutionary Marxists made comments celebrating Hamas’ attack on Israel. Rallies featured anti-Zionist rhetoric, and in November 2023, a lawn sign was spotted on campus that read "Homeland or death" above a Palestinian flag.

In March 2024, three BDS resolutions were adopted by the Tufts Community Union: one called for the administration to divest from companies tied to Israel; one called for university dining to end the sale of any Israeli products; and one called on the University to recognize a “Palestinian genocide,” to apologize for Tufts President Sunil Kumar’s statements on the Israel-Hamas conflict, and to hold a meeting between President Kumar, the deans, and the Coalition for Palestinian Liberation at Tufts.

During part of the debate over the 2024 BDS resolutions, Jewish students were spat on and “subjected to stomach-churning antisemitic taunts and jeering from their peers,” according to the Hillel director.

The Tufts ‘Gaza Solidarity Encampment’ lasted almost a month, with no major incidents reported, before protestors voluntarily disbanded following a trespassing order issued by the administration. During a May 2024 graduation ceremony, around 100 students walked out of, and chanted near, the ceremony in protest.

In September 2024, anti-Israel graffiti was located on campus that included inverted red triangles. In October 2024, SJP distributed fliers on campus advertising an event on the anniversary of Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. The fliers depicted images of firearms and called for students to "escalate" and "join the student intifada." That same month, SJP occupied a campus building after they were suspended from campus.

University Policies and Responsive Action

In 2021, the University conducted a comprehensive study to address the rise of antisemitism on campus. University leadership developed a plan to address antisemitism on campus, including introducing anti-bias content, more resources to promote healthier dialogue, and potential changes to how the University recognizes and funds student organizations.

Since October 7, the University has hosted community dialogues about the conflict, and the University Chaplaincy has held weekly multifaith gatherings for students. Additionally, Tufts recently established a Coordinated Response Team and Tufts Talks Openly, which offers training opportunities for faculty, students and staff, including sessions on “Understanding Antisemitism.”

Tufts established an Israel-Hamas War webpage which includes resources for students. The FAQ section notes that individuals or organizations calling for the genocide of Jews would be in violation of University policy.

In August 2024, the University circulated a welcome message to all members of the campus community clarifying existing Time, Place and Manner policies, listing the times and locations in which protests are prohibited, and reiterating that “that there is no place on our campuses for antisemitism, anti-Arab, anti-Palestinian, anti-Israeli sentiment, Islamophobia...or hate and discrimination in any form.”

At the beginning of the 2024-25 academic year, the University included a session on addressing antisemitism in their undergraduate orientation, held a panel discussion with several alumni on engaging in difficult conversations, and committed to doing additional educational sessions on fighting antisemitism and other forms of discrimination throughout the year.

Through an advisory group, the Office of Institutional Inclusive Excellence is also working closely with the University Chaplaincy and Hillel in the development of additional educational programming and strategy and the University has retained an external Judaic scholar/rabbi to serve as a consultant. University chaplaincy planned vigils in late September 2024 to provide a space for the community to gather and heal.