After Hamas attacked Israel on October 7th, 2023, leading to a war in Gaza, college campuses across the country erupted in protest. The primary focus of the movement was the high death toll in Gaza and the United States’ support for Israel. However, some demonstrations also saw incidents of antisemitism. In response, the Trump Administration issued threats to sixty colleges and universities, warning of “enforcement actions” if they failed to protect Jewish students. Additionally, visas of international students involved in the protests or speaking out against the war were revoked. Some students, like Mahmoud Khalil from Columbia University, are now in ICE custody, facing accusations of being Hamas supporters without evidence.
Deborah Lipstadt, a Jewish History professor at Emory and former State Department special envoy to combat antisemitism, surprisingly supported some of the Trump Administration’s actions. In an interview, she stated, “I’m not opposed to the administration rescinding the student visas of some of the people that they’re rescinding the student visas of.” Despite her support, she acknowledged that some of the administration’s actions may be going too far and potentially overshadowing the real issue of antisemitism.
During a phone conversation with Lipstadt, she discussed the Trump Administration’s stance on antisemitism, the need for universities to take the issue seriously, and the balance between freedom of speech and accountability. She also addressed concerns about the administration’s handling of protests and the potential consequences of not addressing antisemitism effectively on college campuses. Lipstadt emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring that universities create a safe environment for all students, including Jewish students.
