B’nai B’rith Report - A Climate of Fear and Exclusion: Antisemitism at European Universities

The report “A Climate of Fear and Exclusion: Antisemitism at European Universities”, published in August 2025 by B’nai B’rith International in partnership with democ and the European Union of Jewish Students (EUJS), documents the sharp rise in anti-Semitism on campuses across Europe following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel. It highlights how protests, encampments, and academic rhetoric have often crossed into anti-Semitism—manifesting in threats, violence, Holocaust distortion, and calls for Israel’s destruction—while universities largely failed to protect Jewish students, leaving them in a climate of fear and exclusion.

The following is an executive summary of the report. For the full report, click here.

The report documents a sharp rise in anti-Semitism across European universities following the Hamas terrorist attacks of October 7, 2023, which triggered widespread anti-Semitic incidents and intensified hostility toward Jewish students. It draws on evidence from Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and the UK, offering a cross-country snapshot of systemic challenges.

Key Findings

Normalization of anti-Semitism: anti-Semitic rhetoric and actions, often cloaked as political protest, have become routine in academic spaces. Jewish students report being marginalized, threatened, or excluded.
Physical Threats and Violence: Jewish students have been physically attacked in France, Belgium, Germany, and the UK. Incidents include beatings, graffiti with swastikas, and direct death threats to Jewish chaplains and students.
Incitement and Endorsement of Violence: Campus encampments and demonstrations have featured slogans such as “Globalize the Intifada” and open glorification of Hamas and Hezbollah. Some protests required pledges of support for “armed resistance.”
Holocaust Distortion: False comparisons between Israel and Nazi Germany, use of swastikas, and cancellation of Holocaust education events reflect a troubling erosion of historical truth.
Calls for Israel’s Destruction: Slogans and graffiti such as “Kill Israhell” and “Death to Israel, death to the Jews” were documented across campuses, often alongside Israeli flag burnings.
Heroization of Terrorists: University spaces in Belgium, Spain, and elsewhere honored convicted terrorists like Walid Daqqa and Georges Abdallah.
Organizational Drivers: Radical groups, including Samidoun, Masar Badil, BDS chapters, and communist/Marxist groups, have coordinated protests, often with ties to proscribed terrorist organizations (e.g., PFLP, Hamas). Professors have sometimes amplified extremist narratives.
Administrative Failures: Universities frequently failed to enforce anti-discrimination policies, allowing anti-Semitism to flourish under the guise of activism. Jewish students consistently reported apathy, inadequate responses, or dismissal of complaints.

Impact on Jewish Students

The climate has created fear, isolation, and disenfranchisement. Many Jewish students hide their identity, avoid in-person classes, or feel unsafe participating in campus life. This “ambient anti-semitism” affects not only individuals but the integrity of academic institutions as inclusive spaces.

Recommendations

The report urges decisive action by universities and policymakers, including:

Adoption and consistent use of the IHRA working definition of anti-Semitism.
Clear protocols for handling anti-Semitic incidents, akin to harassment policies.
Appointment of dedicated contact points for Jewish students.
Stronger disciplinary measures and cooperation with law enforcement where needed.
Sustained investment in education about anti-Semitism, the Holocaust, and Jewish life.
Building trust-based, long-term engagement between university leadership and Jewish communities.

Conclusion

The study highlights how anti-Semitism, anti-Zionism, and extreme anti-Israel activism overlap on campus, creating a toxic climate where Jewish students face fear and exclusion. European universities risk betraying their mission as safe spaces for intellectual freedom, diversity, and respect without robust action.

Source: ““A Climate of Fear and Exclusion”: Antisemitism at European Universities - A Look at Select Countries,” B’nai B’rith, (August 26, 2025).