The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) is alarmed by a sharp escalation in disruptive and exclusionary activity on college campuses as the 2025-26 academic year comes to a close. While anti-Israel encampments have resurfaced (and were subsequently dismantled) at institutions such as Occidental College and Smith College, they represent just one aspect of a broader and concerning trend.
Across campuses, traditionally unifying spaces and events are increasingly being used for divisive or politicized expression. This includes the use of commencement ceremonies for controversial messaging, such as a recent faculty speech at the University of Michigan, as well as discriminatory and exclusionary student government actions – such as a student senate vote at The New School to defund the campus Hillel.
At the same time, incidents of vandalism, intimidation, and disruption are on the rise. Swarthmore College, for example, reported hundreds of incidents of anti-Israel vandalism last week, while at campuses nationwide, Israeli-affiliated events and speakers have increasingly been disrupted or shut down.
Recent encampments have also featured calls for boycotts of and divestment from Israel, along with the distribution of materials such as “No Zionists” pins - raising concerns about discrimination and the normalization of exclusion of Jewish students.
These developments echo patterns seen in Spring 2024, when campuses experienced a surge in encampments and related disruptions that many institutions were unprepared to manage. The consequences were significant: increased harassment and intimidation, and in some cases physical assaults affecting Jewish and Israeli students, faculty, and staff. Some reported being excluded from campus spaces or unable to fully participate in campus life, contributing to a broader climate of fear and marginalization. These dynamics now appear to be reemerging in varied forms.
Incidents remain well above pre-October 7, 2023 levels, and the convergence of encampments, disruptive demonstrations, polarizing campus events, and exclusionary governance actions raises concern that campuses could again face similar or worsening conditions.
Since Spring 2024, many institutions have strengthened policies prohibiting unauthorized encampments and disruptions. These policies must now be applied consistently across all forms of disruptive conduct. Campus leaders should act early, respond to violations, and enforce consequences when rules are broken. Furthermore, universities should not make concessions to those actively violating campus rules, as doing so undermines administrative authority and encourages further misconduct.
Free expression and peaceful protest are essential to campus life. But they do not include disrupting classes, blocking access to campus spaces, commandeering official university events, or advancing measures that create hostile or exclusionary environments. Universities have a responsibility to draw and enforce these lines.
We remain concerned about the cumulative impact of these trends on Jewish and Israeli campus communities and emphasize that no one should feel unsafe or excluded because of their identity or beliefs.
We urge campus leaders to act with clarity and resolve. We remain ready to support efforts to ensure safe, inclusive, and respectful campuses for all.