New York, NY, March 26th, 2024: The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today wrote a letter to the University of Michigan President, Santa J. Ono, Ph.D., condemning two recent antisemitic incidents on University of Michigan’s Ann Arbor campus. ADL is calling for immediate action to address violations of the student code of conduct and ensure that future University events can proceed without disruption.
In the first incident on Friday, March 22, a University of Michigan student stated on Instagram, “Until my last breath I will utter death to every single individual who supports the Zionist state. Death and more. Death and worse.” The University, understanding the severity of the threat to the Jewish community, increased security patrols on campus. Yet it appears that no further action has been taken and this student is still part of the campus community.
In a separate incident on Sunday, March 24, the University’s Honors Convocation was abruptly ended due to disturbances by anti-Israel protestors. The ceremony, honoring hundreds of students with their families in attendance, was halted during President Ono’s remarks. While similar incidents have warranted removal of disruptive parties by security, the University instead abruptly ended the ceremony.
These episodes are just the latest in a string of unanswered incidents of antisemitism on the University of Michigan’s Ann Arbor campus. Over the past few months, students on campus – in some instances led by the University of Michigan’s SJP chapter, SAFE UMich – have stormed the administration building, run for student government on platforms of intense anti-Zionism and disrupted classes in the Ross Business School multiple times.
“What should have been a joyous moment for families and students to celebrate academic achievements was instead turned into a stomach-churning display of anti-Zionist fervor, enabled by the University’s inaction,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO. “At a time when antisemitism is snowballing on campus, colleges and universities have an obligation to protect Jewish students from intimidation, harassment, and violence. The University of Michigan has failed to do so over the last few months, with the event on Sunday impacting Jewish and non-Jewish families alike. They must act immediately to prevent further disruption and harmto the entire campus community.”
Since October 7, ADL has recorded a surge of antisemitic incidents on college and university campuses. In addition, 73% of Jewish college students surveyed have experienced or witnessed some form of antisemitism since the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year alone. A plurality of Jewish college students reported that they do not feel physically safe on campus after October 7th, and even fewer feel emotionally safe. In an effort to protect the safety, wellbeing and civil rights of Jewish students, ADL launched the Not On My Campus campaign to demand that U.S. colleges and universities commit to No Tolerance for Antisemitism. The Not On My Campus campaign offers a clear call to action for university and college leaders to commit to No Tolerance for antisemitism on their campuses and meet their moral and legal obligations to provide safe, inclusive and equitable learning environments for all students.
This campaign is the latest action ADL has taken to make colleges and universities safer for Jewish students. In November, ADL, Hillel International, the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law and Gibson and Dunn & Crutcher LLP announced the launch of the Campus Antisemitism Legal Line (CALL), a free legal protection helpline for students, family, faculty, and staff members to report incidents of antisemitic discrimination, intimidation, harassment, vandalism, or violence that may necessitate legal action.
ADL is the leading anti-hate organization in the world. Founded in 1913, its timeless mission is “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of antisemitism and bias, using innovation and partnerships to drive impact. A global leader in combating antisemitism, countering extremism and battling bigotry wherever and whenever it happens, ADL works to protect democracy and ensure a just and inclusive society for all.