Avi Benlolo: Jewish students need to come prepared for antisemitism on campuses this fall

Jewish students and their parents must prepare themselves for shock and awe this fall on college and university campuses. The latest statistics coming from a report commissioned by the Department of Canadian Heritage are alarming. The report found that 95.7 per cent of the 900 students interviewed experienced some sort of antisemitism, while 84 per cent considered antisemitism a serious matter on campus.

This is not alarmism. There is now concrete evidence showing that 7 in 10 Jewish respondents in the study felt their universities were not taking antisemitism seriously. Seventy-two per cent said they limit what they say in class about being Jewish. Fifty-seven per cent avoid wearing or displaying Jewish symbols because of safety concerns. Sixty-eight per cent said their campus is not a safe and inclusive place for Jewish students.

It’s been 21 years since I attended the first “Israeli Apartheid Week” at the University of Toronto. Since then, I have been on the frontlines witnessing countless demonstrations, anti-Israel speakers and even the now infamous ‘boycott, divestment and sanctions’ campaigns promulgating hate against the Jewish state and Jewish students. The situation has only gotten worse for our children.

Who would have thought that the Palestinian flag would make an acceptable appearance at some graduation ceremonies this past spring?

The consequences of these sobering statistics are transforming how Jewish students live and learn as they and their parents worry for their safety, given the report’s finding that 22 per cent have experienced some sort form of physical violence.

One student described a kippah-wearing friend being chased from a university building by people shouting, “There’s a Jew — let’s get him.”

In another survey commissioned by the Association for Canadian Studies, positive opinions of Judaism fell from 49 to 40 per cent over 15 months, while negative opinions rose from 25 to 32 per cent.

The question for us all is whether universities are just factories for turning out anti-Jewish bigots who are now forming our nation’s social fabric.

Jewish students entering university this fall will be on the frontlines of Jew-hate and they must come prepared, especially if they are entering their first year. Here are some of my suggestions:

First, I recommend they develop a safety and support plan, even before classes begin. Aside from identifying campus security contacts and emergency numbers, they can connect with aligned and trusted faculty (even if not their own), join Jewish student groups like Hillel and Chabad and foster a strong social protective network. They must never confront organized anti-Israel hostility alone.

Second, for those wishing to pursue activism, I suggest they document all issues of concern using video and screenshots — provided it is safe and legal. Evidence is far more difficult for an institution and law enforcement to ignore. In this, students can create report incidents in writing to deans, university presidents and even members of governing boards, citing applicable university discrimination policies. I encourage students to also refer the matter to local law enforcement and an external Jewish organization, especially concerning hate speech and violence.

Third, understanding your legal rights as a student is important. Threats and intimidation, blocking access anywhere on campus, following students, damaging property, glorifying terrorism and, of course, open discrimination and exclusion are all illegal according to Canadian law. Universities often hide or bury these incidents excusing them as “academic freedom.” Aside from issuing a complaint to administration, students should refer such matters externally to law enforcement.

Fourth, I strongly encourage students not to get baited into uncontrolled confrontations in person or online. It’s important to always remain calm and not be drawn into reckless behaviour that might endanger yourself or a friend.

For their part, parents these days must remain engaged given these safety concerns. Some students may be genuinely afraid to be away from the comfort of home, feeling isolation, fear and anxiety.

None of these suggestions relieve universities from accountability. These jarring statistics are a wake-up call for all university presidents about the need for immediate institutional change. No Jewish student should have to hide their Star of David or remove their kippah, a sign that the university has failed one of its most fundamental objectives — to turn every student into a respectable and contributing member of society.

Jewish students should return to campus alert, organized and unafraid. They should know their rights, protect one another, record every incident and demand accountability.

Avi Abraham Benlolo is the chairman and CEO of The Abraham Global Peace Initiative, a Canadian think-tank countering antisemitism, defending Israel and promoting democracy.