The issue of antisemitism on university campuses has intensified in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, according to William Jacobson, a Clinical Professor of Law at Cornell Law School. He describes the antisemitic ‘venom’ that has infected American colleges as more organized and dangerous than before, spreading through various aspects of campus life. Jacobson attributes this escalation to the aftermath of the Hamas attack, claiming that the situation has worsened beneath the surface due to universities adopting strategies to mask the problem and avoid federal investigations.
The professor also highlights the role of the Trump administration in the ongoing investigations into campus antisemitism, suggesting that universities are attempting to ‘play hide-and-seek’ with the Department of Education by hoping to outlast the current administration. Jacobson argues that the primary concern for universities is their reliance on federal funding, as this is on a scale that surpasses private donations. He warns that if the Trump administration prevails in its legal challenges, it could put certain schools in a difficult financial situation. Furthermore, Jacobson criticizes the tolerance of disruptive tactics by some campuses, including the creation of a ‘Palestinian exception to the rules,’ which he believes has allowed antisemitism to become normalized within academic institutions.