So basically Harvard saw this video of Elom Tettey-Tamaklo assaulting a Jewish student and instead of disciplining him they chose to add him to their faculty.

Because nothing says "I've been bought by Qatar" like rewarding hate crimes on campus. pic.twitter.com/FLJEXq9PeB

— The Persian Jewess (@persianjewess) December 2, 2025

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The report gathered insights from experts on the ground regarding the situation in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Its conclusion states that in those nine countries, there is "clear and repeated patterns of antisemitic or otherwise harmful behaviors."

These patterns include threats and physical violence against individual Jewish students or staff members. They also include calls for violence as an appropriate form of protest, solidarity with Hamas as well as with other terrorist movements and individuals, widespread distortion of the Holocaust and its use as a tool, calls for the destruction of Israel, and extensive vandalism, strikes, and targeted vandalism of Jewish buildings.

The authors note that there is a "normalization of antisemitic narratives at universities across national borders… anchored in almost all countries under the guise of anti-colonial, anti-imperialist or human rights narratives."

The Hamas attack on October 7 is referred to as "resistance" or "liberation," and convicted terrorists are celebrated as heroes (for example, Walid Daqqa, Georges Abdallah). This was the case, for example, in Spain, where Samidoun activists publicly thanked Hamas for its actions. In Germany, activists from the "Zora" feminist group, which is involved in the student protests,  described the Hamas attack as an act of self-defense.

The report adds that it is not just the October 7 massacre that is being inverted, but also the Holocaust. "A clear common feature of the demonstrations is also the increased emergence of Holocaust distortion in the form of relativization and instrumentalization. This is expressed, for example, in the equation of Israel with Nazi Germany, as seen for instance in Spain and Sweden, or in France and Belgium, where swastikas have appeared at universities and in the dormitories of Jewish students."

The report adds that, similar to the US, universities in Europe have "often reacted hesitantly to the protests, sometimes with tacit approval or by invoking freedom of expression – in some cases, antisemitic actors were not sanctioned. The occupation of the Institute of Social  Sciences in Berlin, which led to vandalism, shouts of "Intifada" and red Hamas triangles, was initially tolerated by Humboldt University Berlin President Julia von Blumenthal. Instead, an invitation to a dialogue was extended – a troubling sign towards all Jewish students."

In this atmosphere, the report states, "many Jewish students report that they hide their identity and avoid the campus for fear of violence. The psychological impact of the protests is very alarming, with fear and panic playing a major role in everyday student life. As a result, Jewish students are withdrawing more and more and are less a part of public university life."

One of the most stunning findings in the report is the support from faculty members and the university establishment.

"In Italy, many professors and parts of the university administration have taken a very supportive stance, and the academic senates of multiple universities announced that they would no longer cooperate with Israel," the report read. "In doing so, they are responding to a frequently voiced demand in university protests to sever all university ties with Israel. In Spain, too, the protests have received explicit support from the university. Professors who are actively participating are often BDS activists themselves. In Austria and the UK, several lecturers have made explicitly antisemitic or terror-glorifying statements. This normalizes antisemitic narratives at an academic level and reinforces students' radical views."

The report also reveals coordination and involvement of organizations with documented ties to terrorism, such as Samidoun or Masar Badil, both known for their links to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine – the PFLP, a designated terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union.

"This report makes clear that Europe's universities are failing their Jewish students," B'nai B'rith International president Robert Spitzer and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin said. "Just as we have seen on campuses across the United States, antisemitism here is too often excused as 'activism' – but in reality, it is a threat to safety, inclusion and the very integrity of higher education."

B'nai B'rith International Director of EU Affairs Alina Bricman, said: "When Jewish students fear being violently harassed on campus, when in the most prestigious European universities Jewish students might find swastikas or death threats on their personal property, when they are not allowed access to spaces and events due to their presumed Zionism – the free speech argument is a canard. The lack of action on the part of academic institutions is shameful."

Democ co-executive director Grischa Stanjek said: "What we are seeing on individual campuses are not isolated incidents of student protest. The documentation gathered in this report makes it clear that we are dealing with highly coordinated, transnational networks that operate as part of a global movement. They strategically disguise an antisemitic agenda in the language of human rights to gain legitimacy. University leaders are making a grave mistake if they treat these events as local flare-ups instead of what they are: calculated manifestations of a global, anti-democratic campaign."

In her forward to the report, European Commission Coordinator on Combating Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life Katharina von Schnurbein noted that "European Jewish students have at times opted to hide their identity or in some cases abandon in-person learning altogether due to the environment of hatred that has surrounded them." She stressed that "decisive action, and where necessary prosecution, is needed to prevent further poisoning of the public space."

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"This is the battle of our lives. Jews are afraid to speak up for fear of being identified. You can't wear a kippah at America's largest and most prestigious universities. Jewish students in Berlin and Munich had no chance to change their situation, but here in America, we have the mandate to change this. We must help our students on campuses fight back," says Alan Dershowitz, a prominent US Jewish legal scholar.

These words from Dershowitz need to be read repeatedly to comprehend the magnitude of the crisis facing American Jewry amid a wave of antisemitism, along with the challenges of maintaining Jewish-American identity and fundamental questions about previously stable aspects of identity.

On the 20th floor of the Yale Club in New York, with Manhattan's powerful urban landscape as a backdrop, an outsider might not have grasped the intensity of the storm affecting those present. The conference was organized by the Israeli group Shurat HaDin, led by attorney and activist Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, bringing together major influencers and advocacy organizations across the spectrum of American Jewry – all united in a common goal: creating unity and cooperation between activist organizations in combating antisemitism and eliminating this phenomenon.

Unprecedented Hatred

"Hamas' deadly attack a year ago shocked Israel both at home and abroad. Instead of embracing innocent victims, the world turned against Israel with unprecedented hatred, blood libels, calls for genocide, and violence. Our enemies celebrated the massacre of Jews, distorted facts, ignored acts of assault, and openly supported Hamas. Our goal is to fight back on the public relations front and ensure every Jew feels safe anywhere in the world," Darshan-Leitner said.

The 86-year-old Dershowitz doesn't shy away from describing the reality he sees in light of the terror prevailing on campuses, even if it deviates from American political correctness. "Professors and deans with anti-Israel agendas stand and knowingly lie. They teach students false academia. Today, to be something in America, you must be anti-Zionist. I spoke with two deans – both pro-Israel, and they refuse to speak. They're afraid, they're silent. They're trembling with fear. We're in great danger – more than during McCarthyism."

Beyond the current crisis, the senior legal expert looks ahead with a dark forecast, "These people on campuses represent America's future – they'll soon be writing for The New York Times, sitting in major companies doing business with Israel. In a few years, they'll be in government, and they'll all be anti-Zionist. This is a clear and present danger to Israel and American Jewry.

"Consider the situation at UCLA: If you identify as a Zionist, 14 fraternities will prevent you from speaking and suspend you. This is literally Berlin University 1933 at the beginning of anti-Jewish contempt. This is a critical problem, and that's why we must respond and be present as American Jewry. Fight, not lower our heads thinking this is a passing storm – this is classic antisemitism."

"Uniting Hearts and Minds"

Among the conference speakers was comedian Michael Rapaport, who had never visited Israel before the war. Since then, he has visited five times and become an influential voice in the US, fighting against pro-Palestinian incitement. Rapaport represents the activist Jew who refuses to bow down, stands against hatred, and fights back.

"I cannot stand idly by in the face of such events, everything happening in Israel, 101 hostages and their families, and the hatred here at home. It's frustrating, but it's what unites us. So many hearts have been broken. So many family trajectories stopped in their tracks," Rapaport said. "We did nothing to deserve this hatred. On Oct. 8 morning, here in New York, while people in Israel were still being slaughtered, burned alive, and assaulted, pro-Palestinian activists came to Times Square and celebrated – 'from the river to the sea'! They can't claim there was a false 'genocide' then.

"I won't give any justification to these terrorists who carried out the massacre. We're neck-deep in anti-Jewish rhetoric, and now violence too. I never thought I'd have to admit that in 2024 New York, Jews would need to be afraid. I'm disgusted by what happened at the formerly prestigious Columbia University.

"We need to fight with our hearts, our prayers, our minds – stand strong and not take a step back. Don't consider any alternatives. I encourage all of you to stand tall. Learn more about your Judaism. Learn about our history. Stand tall and proud. No guilt. We've done the guilt thing long enough. No more shame. We've done enough. No stammering."

When Rapaport finished speaking, it seemed the audience needed someone like him to speak to them at eye level, in New York vernacular, without fear, instilling the hope they so desperately need. "In Israel, soldiers fight for the Jewish state; here, each of us is a warrior for Judaism and Israel."

British historian Douglas Murray then took the stage. Responding to Nitsana Darshan-Leitner's question about what makes him such a staunch defender of Israel and the Jewish people, he replied, "Journalists should be honest and try to expose lies. The bigger the lie being spread, the greater your duty to unravel it.

"The blatant injustice toward Israel, the way this small country is the subject of so many condemnations worldwide, the deep unfairness in media coverage of Israel, and the lack of empathy toward Israel. Israel is the only country in the region where an American would want to live, yet so many want to destroy it," Murray added. "I've seen the IDF in action from the front line. I've seen these impressive men and women carrying out missions that no one should have to perform. They do it out of love, not hate, and above all this, they have to bear the world's condemnation."

A Matter of Numbers

When asked why he thinks so many hate the Jewish state, he responded, "It's a numbers game – there aren't many Jews in the world compared to the number of people who hate Jews. Israeli media has a small budget compared to Al Jazeera. There's an illusion that if the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is resolved, peace will break out across the world. This is exactly the clever Soviet framing from the 1960s regarding Israel, the ANC framing that this is the human rights issue of our generation, and if you solve it, you'll be justified like Nelson Mandela. And that's what minds have been misled to believe.

"The idea that solving the Palestinian crisis will solve many problems is fundamentally flawed. Even Blinken said we need to focus on a 'two-state solution.' All this has become official policy of both Left and Right politics."

Murray didn't skip over the hatred spreading in America among progressive pro-Palestinian organizations, "Most professors and students in America think they know the world. If they know one thing, it's 'don't be a Nazi.' They don't understand that they themselves can be the Nazi. When they chase students at Columbia and scream at them 'go back to Poland' because they wear a kippah, they can be the Nazi.

"If any other minority received the treatment American Jews have received in the past year, there would be endless investigations. But that's not happening. To you, American Jews, I call to build alliances. Don't forget your friends who were always there. Be united."

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Wearing a "F*ck Hamas" T-shirt, necklaces with maps of Israel and hostages' names, and a tattoo reading "Am Yisrael Chai", Nick Matau might appear to be just another American Jew explaining Israel on social media through videos and livestreams. In his case, he reaches 50,000 followers on TikTok ("I used to have 100,000, but TikTok closed my account when I started speaking up for Israel and Zionism").

However, the 32-year-old Californian isn't Jewish – and didn't even grow up in a Jewish environment. His only connection to the Jewish people is through the man who raised him from age one, a Samoan, who instilled in him a love for the Jewish people. "He taught me history and how important it is to support Israel," Nick explains. "He's a large Samoan man who occasionally yells at people hanging Palestinian flags in the street, calling them terrorism supporters. He strongly supports what I'm doing but urges me to be careful."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nick Matau (@realdyna_rider)

Q: Be careful of what?

"There's tremendous hate on social media. I receive death threats daily and statements saying Hitler didn't finish the job, unfortunately."

Beyond the harsh messages, Nick also receives threats from people claiming to know where he lives and promising to "eliminate" him. Nick welcomes them, "I tell them 'Yes, I'm here, and I have a gun in my drawer.' I want to be prepared. I have cameras around the house. There were cases where people called leaving 'Free Palestine' messages, and one woman exposed my ex-wife's and child's personal information. I went to the police, but they said they couldn't do anything until she actually does something – which I think is really stupid."

For 12 years, Nick served in the US Navy as a nuclear engineer, returning to civilian life about a year ago. While he always supported Israel, he rarely discussed it in his social media videos until May 2021. "When Hamas started launching rockets in 2021 and I felt TikTok was flooded with 'Free Palestine' content without enough support for Israel, I knew I had to speak up. Every day I learn something new about Israel. I always knew antisemitism existed, but I didn't realize how prevalent it was. From the moment I started talking about antisemitism or Zionism, I received enormous hate from followers and blocks from TikTok, but I didn't care. I learned more, read more, speak with many Muslims from Arab countries, and understand I'm on the right side. Before this, I was never blocked once, but since then I've lost 15 TikTok accounts."

Q: Did you reach out to them about this?

"I emailed them and filed an appeal. I even made my main account with 53,000 followers private recently because I had more than 30 videos removed. They restored all but three, with TikTok claiming I was 'promoting hate and supporting a hate organization.' The IDF is considered a hate organization? Most of the time they just respond that I'm violating guidelines."

Early in the war, when pro-Palestinian activists set up encampments at universities and severely harassed Jewish students, Nick and his friend Bracha, who often joins his TikTok livestreams, decided to see firsthand what was happening at Berkeley.

"I went to their encampments and stood in front of 100 pro-Palestinian protesters with their flags, waved an Israeli flag, and started debating them and disproving their claims. They didn't know how to respond, and after a few minutes their 'leader' came out and told them not to talk to me. I was busy arguing and didn't notice one of them opening his jacket to show Bracha, who was standing on the other side, that he had a gun. She left immediately and called to warn me to leave. We went to file a police report, but they didn't do anything."

Nick doesn't rule out conversion to Judaism. He first visited Israel over a year ago and returned to the United States just days before the Oct. 7 attack. "I wanted to visit Israel when I started my activism," he recalls, "but I was in the Navy, and they always found different reasons not to approve my travel. I first arrived in Israel with my fiancée Danielle just before Yom Kippur last year, and it was an amazing experience. We visited Masada, the Dead Sea, Tel Aviv, and Ramat Gan, leaving shortly before Oct. 7. On the day of the attack, I received a call from a good friend, 'Hebrew Hammer' – the first Zionist I met on TikTok, who called to say Israel was under attack. I replied 'What else is new?' and he said this time was different. Then it got worse moment by moment, and the first thing we thought after crying was that we wanted to return there."

Nick met his fiancée online – thanks to his videos. "Danielle is an American Jew who moved to Israel at 21 and stayed for 13 years. She happened to see one of my videos about Israel and commented on it. I thought she was really cute and sent her a message, and things moved quickly from there."

Q: Are there plans to return or move to Israel?

"I have an 11-year-old child. When he goes to college, I'd be more than happy to move to Israel."

Q: Have you ever considered converting to Judaism?

"When I was stationed in Guam, there was an Australian rabbi I talked to about it, and he said it's better not to because my voice as a non-Jew is stronger. But on my third visit to discuss conversion, he promised to start working on my conversion process. Shortly after, I left Guam and didn't pursue it further. I identify as a Noahide, and I'm very open to conversion. When I feel God puts things in front of me, I don't resist them."

TikTok responded to a request for comment: "We operate at all times to strengthen our defense mechanisms in order to keep the platform safe and clean from content that could harm the user community, and we have zero tolerance toward violators of community guidelines. We monitor the content through a combination of technologies and a team of 40 thousand human monitors. Every report about an inappropriate video is treated with full seriousness, and the algorithm does not promote content of one side over another side."

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Columbia University President Minouche Shafik has resigned after a tumultuous year marked by persistent and often violent anti-Israel demonstrations. Shafik's exit comes just days after three university deans stepped down following the exposure of an email chain that dismissed concerns from Israeli and Jewish students about rising antisemitism on campus.

"This period has taken a considerable toll on my family, as it has for others in the community," Shafik stated in an email to faculty and students. "Upon reflection over the summer, I have concluded that my departure at this juncture would best position Columbia to address the challenges ahead."

The university has appointed Katrina Armstrong, CEO of Columbia University Irving Medical Center, as interim president.

In response to Shafik's resignation, hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters celebrated in the streets of New York. Demonstrators also disrupted a Democratic Party event supporting Kamala Harris, causing disturbances. Protesters deployed a smoke grenade, necessitating police intervention and resulting in numerous arrests.

The pro-Palestinian demonstrations that erupted at Columbia in May 2023 sparked similar actions across US and European universities. Protesters established encampments on Columbia's campus, with some calling for another intifada, voicing support for the Hamas terrorist organization, and using antisemitic rhetoric.

In April, Shafik had urged protesters to voluntarily dismantle their campus encampments, acknowledging that the demonstrations had fostered an "unwelcoming environment for many of our Jewish students and faculty." She partly attributed the "hostile environment" to "external factors."

House Speaker Mike Johnson condemned Shafik's handling of the situation, "President Shafik's refusal to protect Jewish students and maintain order on campus transformed Columbia University into the epicenter of virulent antisemitism that has plagued many American university campuses since Hamas' barbaric attack on Israel last fall... We hope that President Shafik's resignation serves as a warning to university administrators nationwide that tolerating or shielding antisemites is unacceptable and will have consequences."

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A federal judge has ordered the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) to create a plan to protect Jewish students following pro-Palestinian protests that erupted on campus in recent months, the Associated Press reports.

This AP headline says it all.
It takes a court order to force UCLA to protect Jewish students.
Of course other minority groups get preferential treatment without command.
Why?
What could it be?
Let me take a wild guess:
Could it be...they don't like Jews?https://t.co/nHYzfLWUry

— Michael Shermer (@michaelshermer) July 30, 2024

 The ruling comes after three Jewish students sued UCLA in June, alleging discrimination amid demonstrations against the Israel-Hamas war. Yitzchok Frankel, a UCLA law student, stated in the lawsuit that he declined an invitation from the director of student life to help host a lunch gathering due to safety concerns.

"Under ordinary circumstances, I would have leapt at the chance to participate in this event," Frankel said. "My Jewish identity and religion are integral to who I am, and I believe it is important to mentor incoming students and encourage them to be proud of their Judaism, too."

The lawsuit alleged discrimination during pro-Palestinian protests, which included the establishment of a "Jew-free zone." Frankel argued that UCLA failed to foster a safe environment for Jewish students on campus. The university has been directed to submit a proposed plan by next month, according to AP.

UCLA spokesperson Mary Osako responded to the ruling, stating, "We are committed to maintaining a safe and inclusive campus, holding those who engaged in violence accountable, and combatting antisemitism in all forms." Osako added, "We have applied lessons learned from this spring's protests and continue to work to foster a campus culture where everyone feels welcome and free from intimidation, discrimination, and harassment."

In a stunning reversal, Harvard has just implemented aggressive policies to combat antisemitism and has decided to…ban chalk. To thank the Harvard President for his visionary leadership and commitment to protecting Jewish students, please email president@harvard.edu pic.twitter.com/9moLvA6t6l

— Shabbos Kestenbaum (@ShabbosK) July 30, 2024

 The demonstrations at UCLA were part of a broader movement across US campuses protesting the Israel-Hamas war. In May, law enforcement ordered over a thousand protesters to dismantle their encampment as tensions escalated. Counter-demonstrators had attacked the encampment overnight, resulting in at least 15 protesters suffering injuries. Subsequently, in June, dozens of protesters were arrested after attempting to establish a new encampment on campus.

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Three associate deans at Columbia University have been placed on administrative leave following the exposure of a series of disparaging text messages exchanged during a panel discussion on antisemitism at a recent alumni event. The incident has raised concerns about the attitudes of university leadership towards issues affecting Jewish students on campus.

The text exchange, which occurred on May 31, involved Josef Sorett, Susan Chang-Kim, Matthew Patashnick, and Cristen Kromm, all of whom hold administrative positions at the Ivy League institution. Their messages were captured by an alumnus in attendance at the two-hour panel, which addressed the impact of rising antisemitism on Jewish students and faculty in the wake of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

In an email to Columbia's Board of Visitors, Sorett apologized for the "harm" caused by the messages, insisting they do not "indicate the views of any individual or the team." He also expressed concern about the "invasion of privacy" resulting from the public disclosure of the group chat contents.

The panel featured speakers such as former Columbia Law School dean David Schizer, who co-chairs the university's antisemitism task force, as well as Brian Cohen, executive director of Columbia's Kraft Center for Jewish Life, and Ian Rottenberg, the university's dean of religious life. Student Rebecca Massel, who had covered anti-Israel campus protests for the student newspaper, also participated.

The good news is Columbia heard us and took some action due to our letters from last Tuesday. (What does administrative leave mean anyway?)

The *FOUR* deans should have been immediately *FIRED*. *Let's let Columbia know we mean business with this follow up letter.*… pic.twitter.com/D8PG2SozBY

— Matthew Feinberg (@thewebbie) June 23, 2024

 As panelists shared their assessments of the challenging climate faced by Jewish students since October 7, the Columbia leaders exchanged messages that were described as mocking and dismissive. In one instance, Kromm, the dean of undergraduate student life, used queasy and vomiting emojis in reference to an October 2023 op-ed titled "Sounding the alarm," written by campus rabbi Yonah Hain.

Patashnick, Columbia's associate dean for student and family support, suggested that an unnamed panel member was exploiting the situation, writing, "He knows exactly what he's doing and how to take full advantage of this moment. Huge fundraising potential." Chang-Kim, vice dean and chief administrative officer of Columbia University responded with "Double urgh."

A Columbia University spokesperson stated, "We are committed to combatting antisemitism and taking sustained, concrete action to ensure Columbia is a campus where Jewish students and everyone in our community feels safe, valued, and able to thrive."

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In a concerning development at Cal. State University Los Angeles (CSULA), pro-Palestinian protesters barricaded a building, trapping Campus President Berenecea Johnson Eanes, inside her office. The protesters, who had already established encampments on another part of the campus more than a month ago, escalated their actions on June 12 by creating barriers with furniture, overturned golf carts, and tables in front of the Student Services Building and surrounding plaza.

BREAKING NEWS: 8 hours into the @CalStateLA student services building occupation:

- The entrance/exits are under the control of rogue pro-Pal activists and vandals

- A handful of employees, Including the University's President remain trapped and claim to be sheltering in place.… pic.twitter.com/AlibgrggOW

— Chris Cristi (@abc7chriscristi) June 13, 2024

 The college instructed employees within the Student Services Building to shelter in place, while employees elsewhere on campus were advised to leave. Erik Hollins, a campus spokesperson, confirmed the tense situation, stating, "I can confirm that there are still a small number of administrators in the building. We are working through options to bring this fluid situation to the best resolution possible."

The protesters, many of whom covered their faces, stationed themselves in front of the building's entrance, reinforcing their barricade with copy machines and furniture removed from inside the building. Pro-Palestinian graffiti covers many windows.

Pro-Hamas agitators have vandalized and barracaded the entrances to the student services building at Cal State L.A.

The school's president and several other faculty members are essentially being held hostage inside.

Karen Bass & Gavin Newsom are yet again, nowhere to be found. pic.twitter.com/eMYpVrAahW

— Kevin Dalton (@TheKevinDalton) June 13, 2024

 While the presence of campus police appeared minimal, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has not been requested to intervene thus far. The school referred to the group as engaging in "unauthorized protest activity." Some protesters have even brought in food, supplies, and diapers, indicating their determination to maintain their occupation for an extended period.

Meanwhile, in a shocking revelation, top administrators at Columbia University were caught mocking and dismissing concerns raised by Jewish students and alumni about the alarming rise of antisemitism on campus. Leaked text messages between high-ranking officials, captured during a panel discussion on Jewish life at the university, expose a disturbing attitude of indifference and disdain toward the plight of the Jewish community.

The incident unfolded on May 31, during a panel discussion organized as part of the university's alumni reunion festivities. The panel, titled "The Past, Present, and Future of Jewish Life at Columbia," featured speakers such as the former dean of Columbia Law School, David Schizer, who co-chaired the university's task force on antisemitism, and a rising junior, Rebecca Massel, who covered the campus protests for the student newspaper.

Unbeknownst to the panelists, several top administrators were present in the audience, including Josef Sorett, the dean of Columbia College; Susan Chang-Kim, the vice dean and chief administrative officer of Columbia College; Cristen Kromm, the dean of undergraduate student life; and Matthew Patashnick, the associate dean for student and family support.

I am not shocked that deans at @Columbia aren't dismissive about Jewish students' concerns.

What I am shocked about is that they're accusing the Jews of exploiting this moment for "fundraising potential."

It's like they're following every antisemitic trope in the book. https://t.co/kRm7ZOO4LK

— Shai Davidai (@ShaiDavidai) June 13, 2024

Throughout the nearly two-hour panel, Chang-Kim was actively texting her colleagues, and they were responding in kind. As the panelists offered frank assessments of the climate Jewish students have faced, the administrators responded with mockery and vitriol, dismissing claims of antisemitism and suggesting, in Patashnick's words, that Jewish figures on campus were exploiting the moment for "fundraising potential."

The administrators expressed skepticism that Jewish students had experienced targeting or discrimination, with Chang-Kim questioning, "Did we really have students being kicked out of clubs for being Jewish? This is difficult to listen to but I'm trying to keep an open mind to learn about this point of view," Chang-Kim texted Sorett.

The text messages also used vomit emojis to describe an op-ed about antisemitism by Columbia's Campus Rabbi Yonah Hain. "And we thought Yonah sounded the alarm…" Kromm wrote derisively to Chang-Kim and Patashnick, referring to Hain's column expressing concern about the "normalization of Hamas" on campus.

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OpenAI, a leading artificial intelligence company, has released its first-ever report detailing how its AI tools have been exploited for covert influence operations aimed at spreading disinformation. The report discloses that OpenAI has successfully disrupted and shut down several disinformation campaigns originating from various actors in Israel – as well as Russia, China, and Iran – within the past three months.

According to the report, these malicious actors utilized OpenAI's generative AI models to create and disseminate propaganda content across multiple social media platforms. Additionally, they employed these models to translate their content into different languages, potentially targeting diverse audiences.

While OpenAI's researchers confirmed that none of the identified campaigns gained significant traction or reached large audiences, the report highlights the growing concern surrounding the potential misuse of generative AI technologies to amplify and enhance online disinformation efforts.

The 39-page report provides a detailed account of how OpenAI's AI software was utilized for propaganda purposes. The company claims to have identified and banned accounts associated with five separate covert influence operations, originating from a mix of state-affiliated and private actors.

Among the identified campaigns was an Israeli political firm called Stoic that ran a network of fake social media accounts that created various content, including posts criticizing the antisemitic campus protests across the US.

In addition, two Russian operations were identified that generated content critical of the United States, Ukraine, and several Baltic nations. One of these operations employed an OpenAI model to debug code and create a bot that posted on the Telegram messaging platform.

Similarly, a Chinese influence operation generated text in English, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean, which was then posted on Twitter and the blogging platform Medium.

Iranian actors exploited OpenAI's technology to generate full articles attacking the US and Israel, which were subsequently translated into English and French for dissemination.

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It has been difficult for the sports world in Israel to remain untouched by the tragedy of Oct. 7. Every game, stadium, and broadcast has inevitably served as a solemn memorial for those who, mere moments ago, were fans in the stands but are now gone forever. Celebrations are muted, as the realm of sports refuses to be contained, bleeding into the solemnity of remembrance.

Last week, as Hapoel Jerusalem celebrated winning the Israeli State Cup in basketball, the players invited 18-year-old Ofir Engel, released by Hamas in November after being taken hostage on Oct. 7, to join them in lifting the trophy. The entire match was dedicated to Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who remains a hostage of Hamas, with thousands of Hapoel's red-clad fans donning shirts bearing his image.

"In the context of life itself since Oct. 7, sports is meaningless. But it's only when you encounter the fans, families, and people across the country that you suddenly understand sports' profound power and importance. And that is why it must continue," says Matan Adelson, at 25 the youngest owner of a professional sports team in Israel.

Adelson, speaking publicly for the first time since announcing his purchase of Hapoel Jerusalem a year ago, aspires to reshape both Israeli and European basketball through the club, which he aims to build into an empire.

The scion of the Adelson family has kept an extremely low profile over the past year, with little in the public record about the youngest son of Dr. Miriam Adelson and the late Sheldon Adelson (full disclose: Dr. Adelson is the publisher of Israel Hayom). Occasionally, he asserted his presence in the sports arena through displays of assertiveness, such as Twitter battles with sporting rivals.

Now, Adelson openly discusses the turbulent year since acquiring the team, candidly acknowledging missteps while sharing that he managed to shed 66 pounds over two years. A Stanford graduate, he expresses grave concerns over rising campus antisemitism. Above all, Adelson is driven to prove Hapoel Jerusalem is not a fleeting fancy but a profound investment by revealing his vision for the team's future.

Parental guidance

Adelson, born in 1999 in Los Angeles, spent the majority of his formative years in Las Vegas, two years younger than his brother Adam, a successful race car driver in the US, and two decades younger than his elder sisters, Sivan and Yasmin. From infancy, he was immersed in the family's business and philanthropic environment, describing the Jewish community of the West Coast as "a bubble: everyone around me was Jewish. We knew that there were others in the world, but our immediate surroundings were entirely Jewish, and it was paramount to my mom that we were raised with Israeli values. Consequently, I was in the Israeli Scouts, and she conversed with me in Hebrew –  and, of course, we visited Israel frequently."

At a young age, Adelson professes, he developed a profound affinity for basketball. "During my childhood, family friends kindled my love for the Los Angeles Lakers, and one day I approached my father, declaring my aspiration to become the owner of the Lakers when I grew up. He elucidated that the Lakers are already an established brand, and with or without me, they will consistently maintain their elite status. Therefore, it would be more prudent for me to acquire a less well-off brand and elevate it to the pinnacle – in that process, I would also gain invaluable knowledge."

Q: Now that you manage a substantial business yourself, what advice from your parents has aided you in leading the team?

"My late father consistently emphasized that a thriving business hinges on the individuals you assemble and surround yourself with. He underscored the importance of selecting individuals with superior intellect, thereby providing a valuable resource for consultation. However, after assembling a capable team, it is equally crucial to take the necessary measures to retain them. My father always maintained that if they demonstrate loyalty to you, you have an obligation to reciprocate that loyalty."

Adelson chose to illustrate his point with an anecdote from the coronavirus period.

VIP Passenger in the car today. Buckle Up! pic.twitter.com/ksk3elc98r

— Matan Adelson (@MatanAdelson) May 18, 2024

"The tourism industry worldwide experienced a catastrophic collapse, and numerous individuals in Las Vegas resorted to laying off their employees. However, my father did not terminate a single worker or reduce anyone's salary. This was one of the most significant lessons I learned from him. He said that our family possesses resources that others do not, and therefore, we are responsible for caring for them, particularly if they work so hard."

Adelson revealed that he first truly encountered antisemitism while studying Economics at Stanford. 

"It's not that I was unaware of the existence of antisemites in the world, as that was evident to me, but there I confronted it directly. It manifested in waves. During my first year, there was a significant presence of antisemitism, and one could discern the profound impact of BDS [Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions Movement] and their efforts on the younger generation, as well as the ignorance pervasive among young Americans."

In the second year, he recounted, the hostility subsided, "but I had a very close friend in college, one of whose friends was Palestinian. I witnessed how she inundated her with blatantly false information. So if you inquire about the current situation on campuses in the US – I'm truly not surprised, as we foresaw this development.

"The protesters on campuses, of course, attempt to justify their actions as anti-Zionist rather than antisemitic. However, anyone with a modicum of sense recognizes that there is no distinction; it's merely their ignorance that leads them to perceive it that way."

After completing his studies, Adelson joined investment firms, although, if he could "turn back time, I would have pursued computer science. Upon finishing my degree, I questioned what my profession was and what the university had equipped me with for the rest of my life. Truthfully, I cannot provide a satisfactory answer. I do not feel that Stanford gave me the necessary tools to embark on a professional career."

"The Euroleague? It's another milestone on the journey."

We convened in the offices of Hapoel Jerusalem in Givat Ram, Jerusalem. Adelson's ambitions soar high, and the team's trophy case is becoming increasingly crowded. Adelson was accompanied by a documentary film crew, which may potentially result in another sports documentary in the genre currently inundating streaming platforms.

As mentioned, this was his first major interview, and he appeared apprehensive yet understanding, as someone from a family for whom the spotlight is not unfamiliar, that this is part of the game.

Q: How would you summarize your first year at Hapoel Jerusalem?

"It has been a year of ups and downs, with both positive and challenging moments. I am still learning about the sport here and discovering many areas that need improvement. Next week, the final part of the season begins with the playoff games, and we are yet to know the exact day or time of our matches. This lack of organization perplexes me; it's difficult to foster a strong sports culture or a competitive basketball league without proper scheduling."

Q: This is a characteristic of Israeli sports and particularly Israeli basketball.

"This is an issue that needs addressing. There are basketball arenas in the Premier League that are not up to standard, and the league's marketing efforts are insufficient. There is also a lack of private team ownership, with too many teams being controlled by mayors. When a mayor changes, a team can suddenly be disbanded. This is not a sustainable way to achieve long-term success.

"I acknowledge that there is criticism of me as well, and I make mistakes. However, the key is to learn from them and implement changes that will benefit all of Israeli basketball."

Q: Some issues can't be fixed, such as Maccabi Tel Aviv's long-standing dominance in basketball.

"I am aware of the history and the fact that the [Recanati family,] owners of Maccabi Tel Aviv also own Israel's main sports channel, which I find peculiar. Ofer Yannay, [owner of the Hapoel Tel Aviv basketball team,] claims that Maccabi Tel Aviv's advantage was gained through unkosher means. While I do not know whether this is true, it is clear that Maccabi Tel Aviv resists competition." 

"There wasn't a specific moment; it was a process. We were approached by every major basketball league in the world with offers. We even received an offer from a prominent soccer club in the Premier League. But I asked myself – what connection do I have to London? What connection do I have to football? What bond do I have with that country?

Q: Maccabi's management has also prevented Hapoel Jerusalem from entering the Euroleague, the premier basketball league in Europe, for years.

"I have met with the Federman and Recanati families, [who co-own Maccabi Tel Aviv,] but not with Shimon Mizrahi, [their chairman.] I explained the significance of having two Israeli teams in the Euroleague, not only for the sport but also for Israel. It would even benefit Maccabi's interests. They disagreed and opposed our position. However, I'm not looking for Maccabi's permission. Ultimately, I will do what is right for Hapoel Jerusalem. Their opposition only strengthens my resolve."

"For me, the Euroleague represents another significant milestone in our journey. If this league does not want us, they will miss out on the potential and power of Hapoel Jerusalem, and another league will benefit from our participation. Professionally, we made a strategic error last year by staying in FIBA's basketball league, [the Euroleague's competitor,] but financially, it was beneficial. We saved a substantial amount by not hosting games in Israel and having fewer matches. As I said, I have made mistakes and will continue to do so as we progress."

Q: One of Maccabi Tel Aviv's long-standing strategies in basketball has been their ability to acquire the best players from rival teams. There are rumors that you are considering their coach, Oded Kattash, for next year.

"Oded Kattash is just one of our options. I have not yet had a meeting with him. We have many prominent names on our list, both for the coaching position and for players. Acquiring Maccabi Tel Aviv's players or coaches would not only strengthen us but also weaken our rivals, offering a dual advantage.

"Maccabi is unaccustomed to competition for players and coaches, but the landscape of Israeli basketball is evolving. Hapoel Jerusalem and Hapoel Tel Aviv are making significant investments, and we will continue to do so in the coming summer. From what I understand, Maccabi's owners have not invested heavily in the club for quite some time. I can assure them that they face challenges ahead of the next season."

"We'll impact European basketball as well"

Many were surprised when Adelson decided to purchase an Israeli basketball team, considering the relatively small market it operates in. Another branch of the family chose to acquire the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, a team currently competing in the Western Conference Finals and harboring championship aspirations under its new ownership.

Q: With all the options available to you, why choose an Israeli basketball team? Do you recall the moment you decided on this?

"There wasn't a specific moment; it was a process. We were approached by every major basketball league in the world with offers. We even received an offer from a prominent soccer club in the Premier League. But I asked myself – what connection do I have to London? What connection do I have to football? What bond do I have with that country?

"I wouldn't have bought an NBA team; I have no national sentiment for that. As an Israeli and a Jew, I'm pleased that my family [sister Sivan and brother-in-law Patrick Dumont] bought a team in the NBA, but for me, buying a sports team was a Zionist act."

"I wouldn't have bought an NBA team; I have no national sentiment for that. As an Israeli and a Jew, I'm pleased that my family [sister Sivan and brother-in-law Patrick Dumont] bought a team in the NBA, but for me, buying a sports team was a Zionist act."

Q: Do you consult with the family in Dallas? After all, there is a significant difference between the Pais Arena (where Hapoel Jerusalem plays) in Jerusalem and the standards of the NBA.

"There is no cooperation between us, and there won't be. Perhaps in the future, we can organize an exhibition game between Hapoel Jerusalem and Dallas, but for now, our connection is limited to attending some of their games. Of course, if we have questions or need ideas, it's reassuring to know we have someone in the family to consult with, as they are part of one of the best, most experienced, and largest clubs in the world.

"But I don't want Hapoel Jerusalem fans to have unrealistic expectations: our focus is on becoming the best team in Israel and then making an impact in European basketball. If we can occasionally play against American teams, why not?"

Q: Since you took the position, the imagination of every basketball fan in Israel has been thrilled, and everyone is eager to see which superstars will join Hapoel Jerusalem.

"When we arrived, the previous owner, Eyal Chomsky, said we had a great coach [Aleksandar Džikić, who left Israel due to the war] and ensuring that everything fits his system. Even if I had brought Steph Curry here, he wouldn't have played if he didn't fit into the coach's system. I agree that not every player is suitable for Hapoel Jerusalem, and even if LeBron James played for us, it might not work.

"But our intention for next year, and in general, is to bring in big names. We understand this will require a significant financial investment. However, it will ensure that our arena is filled with enthusiastic fans."

Adelson expressed a deep connection to the passion and energy of European basketball fans compared to the more subdued and politically correct atmosphere of American fans.

"My girlfriend and I sometimes attend NBA games, and she finds them boring. You can't compare the Hapoel Jerusalem crowd and European fans in general to those in the US. Imagine an arena in Jerusalem full of fans who never stop singing and cheering. It's the fans who make you want to stay, and you don't find fans like that in the US."

Q: What do the players think of Jerusalem?

"Every player who comes here needs to understand that they are going to live in Jerusalem and grasp the significance of representing a team that plays in this city, with all that it entails."

When Adelson walked around the Mahane Yehuda market, where he also posed for photographs for this article, it was clear that he was already well-known. Moshe Lion, the mayor, also took the time to meet with the owner after the victory. Adelson admitted that one of his biggest challenges is related to the broader challenges facing Jerusalem.

"It's no secret that many young Jerusalemites who support the team eventually leave the city, and their connection to the team changes. They don't attend all our home games, and we are constantly brainstorming how to keep them engaged, buying season tickets, and supporting us even when they no longer live in the city. From a marketing perspective, this is an issue that hasn't been addressed in the past.

"And I'll tell you something else – we currently have die-hard fans who never stop cheering, even when we're losing. I know that when we win, more people come, but I want to avoid having a 'concert crowd' that only shows up for the victories. Instead, I want a crowd that won't stop cheering, like our dedicated core of fans who jump and cheer behind the basket every game."

"And I'll tell you something else – today we have diehard fans who don't stop cheering even when we're losing. I know that more fans show up when there are wins, but I want it to not be a concert crowd like some of the teams have, who only join for the wins, but rather a crowd that won't stop cheering – like that large core that jumps regularly behind the basket."

You're certainly familiar with the ownership history of Hapoel Jerusalem. Arcadi Gaydamak, Guma Aguiar, Uri Alon. They all tried and eventually left. "I can't say how many years I'll stay in Jerusalem – because it's not interesting. My goals right now are that I won't need to work 25 hours a day around the team. I have no time to do anything else, and I already want to know that even if I'm in the US, things here are running as they should. We're not there yet. If someone thinks the question of whether Jerusalem will make the Euroleague or not will affect my decision to stay here – they are very mistaken.

"I have many goals for Hapoel Jerusalem, especially regarding the club's social impact. The Euroleague is just one of those goals. I'm calm because it's clear to me that if the Euroleague is built on the money of Dubai and the Gulf states, the league won't last long."

Q; Do you hope for Maccabi Tel Aviv's success in the Euroleague?

"After the tough past year, when all the Israeli teams played outside of Israel and we suffered such hatred, the success of the Israeli teams abroad is important. When Maccabi Tel Aviv plays in Europe I'm for them, when Hapoel Tel Aviv plays in Europe I'm for them. They represent Israel, and in the situation we live in today, that's very important. First and foremost we are Jews and Zionists.

"They receive important values"

To be an owner of a sports team in Israel in such a difficult year of war is no easy task. Adelson may not be publicly politically active, and you won't see him in that arena, but he clarifies that the war has sharpened many insights for him. "Many know my parents' political views," he says. "I don't want to turn this into a political interview, but my views are certainly similar to my parents'. If there's one thing that has become clearer to me this past year, it's the understanding of how important military service is.

To be an owner of a sports team in Israel in such a difficult year of war is no easy task. Adelson may not be publicly politically active, and you won't see him in that arena, but he clarifies that the war has sharpened many insights for him. "Many know my parents' political views," he says. "I don't want to turn this into a political interview, but my views are certainly similar to my parents'. If there's one thing that has become clearer to me this past year, it's the understanding of how important military service is.

"Let me tell you a story: When my sister's son (the sister is Yasmin Lukatz, the CEO and founder of ICON and the founder and president of Code for Israel) was about to enlist in the army, it took me some time to understand how right that choice was for him. Because the IDF not only defends the country or provides future skills if you're in a certain field, like Unit 8200 – the army gives young Israelis something that exists nowhere else in the world: It instills values, it makes young people more mature. If the US had mandatory military service, even for a year, we would see a dramatic change in the character of American youth. They would receive important values and become different people from what we see today on American university campuses.

"In that sense, the year that I've lived in Israel has completely changed my perspective. The way I look at the military and the meaning of military service is not the way I looked at it when I was just an American Jewish boy."

Q: Since you brought it up, do you feel more Israeli or American?

"I'll tell the truth: I understand Hebrew very well, but I prefer to speak English. Let them think I don't understand a word of Hebrew, it's good for business," he laughs. "I live on Rothschild in Tel Aviv, I have a team in Jerusalem, and of course – I have an Israeli girlfriend. But when I look at my future I know that at some point I'll live in the US. That's where I was born, where I grew up, and that's my background. It's clear to me that Israel will be a very significant part of my life, and it's not like I'll be able to spend a whole year of my life without being in Israel.

"You see how the entire country rallies for the captives and pitches in for one another; these are things that don't exist elsewhere in the world. I contributed my small part this year and hoped to make an impact, but many people around me did amazing things that anyone looking from the outside stood in awe of."

Q; So what did Israel actually do for you personally?

"If there's one thing I've improved at since being here – I definitely feel more brazen than I was when I arrived in Israel. It's something I've learned from Israelis, and it's actually nice, although I still have room for improvement in that too."

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