Campus Antisemitism Incidents Jump 84% in 2024, Data Shows

Concerns about widespread campus antisemitism are escalating as students return to academic institutions, with recent data revealing a significant surge in incidents. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) reported an 84% increase in antisemitic incidents on college and university campuses in 2024, totaling 1,694 cases and comprising nearly one-fifth of all incidents nationwide. This alarming trend raises questions about the effectiveness of current measures to ensure Jewish student safety, a topic recently highlighted by Aviva Klompas, who questioned in a tweet, "Does the return to school mean a return to widespread campus antisemitism?"

The overall number of antisemitic incidents across the United States reached a record high of 9,354 in 2024, a 5% increase from the previous year, according to the ADL's audit. Hillel International's tracking for the 2024-2025 academic year shows an even more dramatic tenfold increase in campus antisemitic activity compared to 2022-2023, with 2,334 incidents recorded. These figures underscore a persistent and intensifying challenge within higher education environments.

A survey conducted by the American Jewish Committee (AJC) and Hillel International in February 2025 further illustrates the impact on Jewish students. Nearly one-third (32%) of Jewish college students reported feeling that faculty members have promoted antisemitism or fostered hostile learning environments. Moreover, 43% of Jewish students indicated they avoid expressing their views about Israel on campus due to fears of antisemitism, and 51% felt unsafe on campus following protests after October 7, 2023.

A significant portion of the recorded incidents, 58% nationally, contained elements related to Israel or Zionism, often occurring at or near anti-Israel protests. While some universities have implemented new policies and improved their responses, as noted in the ADL's 2025 Campus Antisemitism Report Card, the pervasive nature of these incidents continues to be a major concern for students and their families. The question of whether government efforts, such as those from the Trump administration noted by Klompas, are making Jewish students safer remains a subject of critical discussion, with Alyza Lewin expected to delve into these issues on the Boundless Insights podcast.