A University of Michigan student was allegedly assaulted on September 15, 2024, after confirming to his attackers that he was Jewish. The incident occurred near the campus in Ann Arbor and is being investigated as a bias-motivated crime. According to police reports, a group of men approached the 19-year-old student and asked if he was Jewish. Upon confirming, the attackers threw him to the ground, kicked, and spat on him before fleeing the scene. The student sustained minor injuries but did not require hospitalization.
This incident highlights a broader rise in antisemitic sentiment on college campuses across the U.S., especially after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel, which have fueled anti-Israel activism that often spills over into hatred against Jewish students. Universities, including the University of Michigan, have faced criticism for inadequate responses to these rising tensions. The school has been investigated by the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights for failing to address numerous complaints of antisemitic harassment, some dating back months.
It was not a fucking crime of "bias", it was a fucking hate crime! Call it for what it is!
Ann Arbor Police Investigate Beating of Jewish University of Michigan Student https://t.co/VBbGw4Yw2k
— Candy K. ❤😉😁 (@angelcandy54) September 16, 2024
The attack took place near the Jewish Resource Center, a location known for providing support to Jewish students on campus. Ann Arbor Police Chief Andre Anderson emphasized that his department would work closely with prosecutors to ensure that those responsible are held accountable. "There is no place for hate or ethnic intimidation in the City of Ann Arbor," Anderson said in a statement.
This attack follows a series of similar antisemitic incidents across the nation. Jewish students have reported feeling increasingly unsafe, with many experiencing verbal and physical harassment. At Michigan State University, for instance, Jewish students have seen their religious symbols vandalized and are hesitant to wear outward symbols of their faith, such as kippahs or the Star of David, due to fears of being targeted.
It was not a fucking crime of "bias", it was a fucking hate crime! Call it for what it is!
Ann Arbor Police Investigate Beating of Jewish University of Michigan Student https://t.co/VBbGw4Yw2k
— Candy K. ❤😉😁 (@angelcandy54) September 16, 2024
In response to the growing hostility, organizations like the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) have become more involved in campus issues. ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt expressed horror at the assault and announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspects. "There is no place for antisemitism or bigotry on our streets or our campuses," Greenblatt wrote in a statement, urging anyone with information to come forward.
The University of Michigan has faced repeated criticism for its handling of antisemitism. In one notable case, the university was found by the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights to have violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act by failing to investigate 75 complaints of harassment targeting Jewish students. Protests against Israel have become frequent on Michigan's campus, with some students accusing Jewish students of complicity in Israel’s actions in the Gaza conflict, further fueling tensions.
This rise in antisemitic incidents is part of a larger national trend in American higher education, where many Jewish students report feeling isolated or unsafe. The Anti-Defamation League’s recent survey found that antisemitic incidents have surged, with over half of Jewish students experiencing or witnessing such acts since October 2023. As university administrations struggle to manage these situations, calls for stronger protections for Jewish students have grown.
The situation at the University of Michigan is emblematic of a troubling wave of antisemitism that has gripped many American campuses. Jewish students are increasingly concerned about their safety, and without more robust action from universities, these incidents are likely to continue.
