Protests in higher education against the war in Gaza have created a different climate for Jewish students and staff, according to a report presented yesterday by the Taskforce for Combating Antisemitism.

The many pro-Palestinian demonstrations and occupations at universities and some universities of applied sciences were at times accompanied by violence, vandalism, and threats. They also included antisemitic or near-antisemitic slogans. Partly for this reason, the Schoof administration set up a taskforce.

The members therefore focus on antisemitism and protest. At the same time, they do not want to give the impression that they equate protest actions with antisemitism, the report states. “A parallel taskforce in the United States, which also addressed antisemitism, did take that approach.”

Members of the taskforce include NS CEO and former coalition scout Wouter Koolmees; Maastricht University President of the Executive Board Rianne Letschert (until she became informateur, after which former Utrecht rector Henk Kummeling took her place); Chanan Hertzberger (Central Jewish Consultative Committee); and national coordinator for combating antisemitism Eddo Verdoner.

Keeping their distance

“Antisemitism in the Netherlands is on the rise,” the taskforce writes in a report (which also addresses protests and safety at train stations). “In recent years, Jews have increasingly felt unsafe in our society.”

The report is based on conversations with more than 120 people. Jewish students, for example, said they are repeatedly asked what they think about Gaza. If they keep their distance, they are quickly seen as guilty by association. Posters of Jewish student associations are defaced. Some are verbally abused and called child murderers or “cancer Zionists.”

Jewish staff members share similar experiences. “The taskforce heard several distressing testimonies, such as being refused a seat at the lunch table or no longer being included in team activities.”

Dog whistle

The taskforce has the impression that some demonstrators deliberately push boundaries and use slogans that function as a ‘dog whistle’ for antisemitism. Slogans such as ‘Get rid of Zionist scum’ or ‘Zionists not welcome here’ often give Jewish students the feeling “that they themselves are not welcome or wanted.”

“There is a sense that some sympathizers unconsciously adopt veiled antisemitic rhetoric, without realizing the impact this has on Jews.”

Recommendations

The taskforce’s advice is clear: universities and universities of applied sciences should speak out more clearly, more often, and publicly in support of Jewish students and staff. Confidential advisors could benefit from training to better recognize antisemitism. Expert confidential advisors should share their expertise with one another in a national network.

The TU/e Executive Board aligns itself with the response from Universities of the Netherlands (UNL) to the taskforce report and adds the following: “We recognize the concerns raised in the report, take them very seriously, and are acting accordingly. Much of what the committee recommends is already part of our approach. For example, we remain in close contact with all groups within our community, including our Jewish community.”

“Next week, a dialogue session will take place where people can share and discuss their views and concerns, and the Executive Board will take part. We ask everyone in our community—in line with our CORe values—to contribute to dialogue, respect, and empathy, especially in times of conflict. We do not tolerate racism or antisemitism.”

There are additional recommendations, including those related to physical safety. Based on rules of order and codes of conduct, the taskforce believes that students and staff who frequently disrupt social safety could be addressed. University administrators should map out all legal frameworks and administrative powers at their disposal.

Furthermore, higher education institutions could roll out local campaigns against discrimination and hate in higher education, “explicitly including antisemitism.” Programs such as Studium Generale could also help spread knowledge about Jews and Judaism.

And what about the government? It should provide “financial, policy, and legal support” to enable the implementation of such measures.

This article was translated using AI-assisted tools and reviewed by an editor.