Edan Alexander is free. After 584 days of darkness, Edan Alexander — an American-Israeli from New Jersey — has finally reunited with his family. Taken hostage during Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023, Edan’s return is a moment of immense relief and joy. But 58 hostages remain in captivity. They cannot wait even one more day. We must bring them all home. Now.

Brooklyn. Tensions flared again in New York City as police and anti-Israel protesters clashed at Brooklyn College late last week, just a day after a destructive protest and numerous arrests at Columbia University. Seven to fourteen people were reportedly arrested after demonstrators erected a "Liberated Zone" of tents on Brooklyn College’s main quad, violating school policies. Some of the confrontation, including the tasering of a protester, took place outside the Tanger Hillel House, the center of Jewish life on campus. The extremist group Within Our Lifetime urged its followers to join the protest, warning of the college’s “heavily Zionist neighborhood.” Brooklyn College officials said they called in the NYPD after protesters refused repeated requests to remove unauthorized structures. Final exams were disrupted, and several clashes were captured on video.

(Protester Arguing with Police outside of Brooklyn College, May 8, 2025 | Source: FreedomNewsTv)

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New York. According to the Times of Israel, Columbia University suspended more than 65 students after anti-Israel activists stormed Butler Library, disrupting campus life just before final exams. The demonstrators, many masked and chanting “Intifada revolution,” vandalized the library and pushed past security officers, injuring two. Columbia officials said the university called in police when the situation became unsafe and non-affiliates joined the protest. More than 30 individuals, including alumni and Barnard students, have been barred from campus. The protest was organized by the anti-Israel group Columbia University Apartheid Divest, which circulated video of the takeover showing graffiti like “Columbia Will Burn 4 The Martyrs.” Jewish students and campus leaders praised the administration’s swift response. Federal officials are also reviewing the visa status of foreign nationals involved in the protest.

(Source: Instagram | @jewishbreakingnews)

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Colorado. The Colorado Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights has unanimously approved a year-long investigation into alleged antisemitism at Denver's Auraria campus, home to three institutions: Community College of Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and University of Colorado, Denver. The investigation stems from pro-Palestinian protests and an encampment demanding that the universities divest from Israel, which occupied Tivoli Quad for 23 days last year. Campus officials declared the encampment a violation of policy, and approximately 40 protesters were arrested after refusing to disperse. During the protests, Hillel Colorado leader Daniel Bennett reported that Jewish students feared coming to campus, and the Jewish Coalition of Colorado, which includes the ADL Mountain States regional office, "called on the university to 'take bold action' to protect Jewish students." The escalation — including protesters entering the student union building and threatening to disrupt graduation ceremonies — led to event relocations and a temporary switch to remote learning. Officials estimated the cleanup costs from the encampment at approximately $670,000.

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Seattle. The University of Washington suspended 21 students this week following an anti-Israel takeover of an engineering building that reportedly caused more than $1 million in damages. Masked protesters blocked entrances, lit fires in dumpsters, and vandalized the building before police intervened late Monday night. All suspended students were banned from UW campuses pending further investigation. The university’s decisive response came after meetings with Jewish legislators and amid a new Trump Administration review of UW’s federal funding. UW leaders denounced the protest and its organizers, who had praised the October 7 Hamas attack as a “heroic victory.” Jewish campus leaders and local Jewish organizations praised the university’s swift actions as a sharp departure from last spring’s slower response to anti-Israel encampments.

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United Kingdom. A new report by StandWithUs UK has exposed a disturbing rise in antisemitism on British university campuses, with Jewish students reporting widespread discrimination from peers and even faculty. Since Hamas’s October 7 attack, anti-Jewish sentiment has grown increasingly normalized, often disguised as "anti-Zionism." The report warns that Jewish students are made to feel unwelcome and unsafe, calling into question universities’ commitment to protecting all students equally. While many institutions have adopted the IHRA definition of antisemitism, the report criticizes them for failing to enforce it. Advocates warn that without serious consequences, the dangerous "new normal" threatens both Jewish students and the integrity of higher education in the UK.

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EVENT: ADL Parent Advocacy Online Event: Addressing Antisemitism in Independent K-12 Schools. Jewish students in independent K-12 schools deserve to feel accepted and safe and to thrive within learning communities that are free of antisemitism and anti-Israel bias. On May 21, we invite parents and caregivers to join us for an online discussion on what ADL’s latest research indicates about the climate for Jews in independent K-12 schools, how other parents have championed change in their schools and communities and what kinds of resources ADL offers to support your own advocacy efforts to create a positive, inclusive school experience for Jewish students. Click here to register now.

Wolverine turned Gator. University of Michigan President Santa Ono, a featured speaker at ADL’s Never Is Now Summit this past March, has been named the sole finalist for the University of Florida presidency. In an op-ed outlining his vision, Ono — who has navigated intense anti-Israel protests at Michigan — praised UF as the "gold standard in standing firmly against antisemitism and hate" and pledged to continue combating antisemitism on campus. While Ono believes that peaceful protest has a place on college campuses, he emphasizes the importance of student safety and the rule of law and says he "will continue to ensure that UF is a place where Jewish students feel fully supported, and where all forms of hatred and discrimination are confronted clearly and without hesitation."

DEEPER: President Ono discussed his leadership and vision for combatting antisemitism on college campuses on ADL’s Chai-er Ed Podcast. Listen here.

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From Targets to Trailblazers. A new documentary, Frontline Warriors, showcases the resilience and activism of Jewish students confronting antisemitism on U.S. campuses. The film follows Shabbos Kestenbaum at Columbia, Eden Yadegar at Harvard and Eli Tsives at UCLA, who transformed from students facing hostility into proactive leaders combating hate. Through raw footage and personal narratives, the documentary highlights their efforts to foster inclusivity and challenge antisemitic narratives. Premiering in Jerusalem, the film has sparked discussions about the importance of standing against campus antisemitism and has been met with positive reactions from audiences recognizing the students as "inspirational heroes" rather than victims.

Hopeful Homecoming. The town of Tenafly, New Jersey, erupted in celebration as news broke that Edan Alexander was freed from Hamas captivity. Neighbors gathered at Huyler Park from early morning, anxiously awaiting visual confirmation of Edan’s release. When a photo of him with Red Cross officials appeared on the big screen, the crowd broke out in emotional cheers. “That just shows how our community is strong, together,” said Adi, a local high school junior. Community members described the day as a historic moment of hope and unity, with signs, music and heartfelt gratitude filling the air. The Alexander family, overjoyed, called on negotiators not to stop until every hostage is brought home.

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Taking It Seriously. Yad Vashem Chairman Dani Dayan reported a shift in U.S. university leadership's approach to antisemitism, noting a newfound seriousness in addressing the issue. During recent meetings with university presidents, including those from New York University and Columbia University, Dayan observed a genuine acknowledgment that antisemitism on campuses is a moral crisis requiring action. He emphasized that the problem extends beyond student protests to include biased academic content and faculty influence. Dayan attributed this change to internal moral reflection rather than external political pressure, urging universities to confront the issue decisively.

• Campus Community Advocacy Resources — From social media shares to letter writing campaigns, ADL has clear steps for you to take action and effect change on college campuses.
• K-12 Advocacy Resources — Tools and knowledge to foster and advocate for a safe, inclusive and equitable school environment for all.
• University Faculty and Staff — Support for impacted faculty and staff, guidance on how to discuss what constitutes antisemitism and anti-Zionism and how to provide help to students and colleagues.
• University Administration — Guidance & Best Practices for making campuses safer and more inclusive.
• Campus Antisemitism Report Card — See the grades of 135 universities, the current state of antisemitism on campus and how colleges and universities are responding.
• Chai-er Ed Podcast — ADL’s campus podcast, brings you firsthand stories from Jewish students navigating today’s college campuses.
• General Campus Resources — ADL Backgrounders, Educational Programming, Research and Analysis and more.
• Campus Antisemitism Legal Line (CALL) — College or university students, professors, or employees who want to report campus incidents of antisemitic discrimination, intimidation, harassment, vandalism or violence that may necessitate legal action can report to CALL for legal support.
• K-12 Antisemitism Legal Line — Parents and other interested adults in California, Massachusetts and New York can report incidents of antisemitic discrimination, intimidation, harassment, vandalism or violence occurring in K-12 schools to the K-12 Antisemitism Legal Line.
• Report an Antisemitic Incident.

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