The groundbreaking monograph, Anti-Israelism and Anti-Semitism in America's Educational Systems, systematically looks at the way that anti-Israelism and anti-Semitism are expressed and promoted, both in primary and secondary schools, and on college campuses in the United States. We have gathered extensive data and make a strong case that both the Jewish and non-Jewish communities need to be doing much more to combat the anti-Israelism and anti-Semitism that is being taught to young people.

Anti-Israelism and Anti-Semitism

When discussing the anti-Israel campaign, the question arises of how to draw the line between legitimate criticism of specific policies of a particular Israeli administration and anti-Israelism, which is the demonization, and deligitimazation of the Israeli state. The singling out of Israel above all other societies and nations is anti-Semitic especially when Israel, Jews, and Zionism are used interchangeably. It is both anti-Israelism and anti-Semitism when human rights abuses in China, Columbia, Russia, and a host of other nations are ignored, while Israel is the focus and locus of all that is wrong with human rights violations in the world.

Free Speech and Academic Freedom

An issue of paramount importance is the question of the boundaries of free speech and academic freedom vis-à-vis anti-Israelism on campus. Often anti-Israelists proclaim protection under the banners of free speech and academic freedom, rightfully hallowed and cherished ideas in American society, and especially in American academic systems. While theoretically all ideas should be open for discussion, in reality both social norms as well as intellectual rigor dictate that bigotry and hate speech have no place in educational institutions.

Colleges & Universities

Few institutions are more influential in the landscape of American society than colleges and universities. First and foremost, universities play a significant role in shaping the minds of America's youth. The college and graduate school years are a time when many young people are forming their identities and beliefs. What they learn in college and graduate school can affect them for a lifetime. Second, the intellectual framework of our nation is very often defined and refined within the university system. Faculty members often serve as advisors to policy makers at both the state and federal level while many research branches, in part or in whole, are dedicated to addressing the needs of the federal government. Third, campuses serve as major community centers across the nation, providing a myriad of services to students, academics, professionals and the general public. University linked groups and institutions, from research centers to student organizations are engaged in extensive community outreach, often leading activism in a variety of social concerns. Moreover, lectures, conferences, symposia, protests and numerous other events comprise an informal network of university related programs that further the university role in American society.

Many university Middle East centers, both departments and individual faculty members have become machines of anti-Israelism, operating using the protection of academic freedom to disseminate propaganda. Departments, centers, and associations of Middle East studies often present a view of the Middle East that is heavily biased against Israel. They often ignore the separation between legitimate scholarship and propaganda.

Anti-Israel student groups often employ sensational methods. These include obstructionist rallies; “street” or “guerilla” theater; “occupation” of university property; simulated “check-points;” dissemination of propaganda through flyers and information booklets; hosting anti-Israel and anti-Semitic speakers; protests of Holocaust Memorial Day and Israeli Independence Day; the recycling of Nazi symbols; and incidents of physical intimidation and attack against pro-Israel students. Student newspapers use editorials, cartoons and occasionally articles that display heavily anti-Israel and sometimes clearly anti-Semitic sentiments.

Primary & Secondary Education

Even the youngest students in public and private schools across America are targets of the global anti-Israel campaign. A more subtle effort to undermine Israel is underway in primary and secondary education.

Groups with political agendas produce their own resources on religion and the Middle East and make these materials available for free as supplemental teaching resources for the primary and secondary grades. An anti-Israel bias has been documented in primary and secondary materials and textbooks. Often, anti-Israel bias occurs in textbooks because of oversimplification or misinformation. For instance, references to the 1973 war fail to mention that Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack against Israel on Yom Kippur.

Teacher training seminars are being held with faculty from university Middle East studies departments. Muslim educational organizations hold conferences around the country for primary and secondary educators to attend, and they include an anti-Israel bias. In fact, a series of fully funded teacher workshops, entitled, “Teaching About the Arab World and Islam,” sponsored by the Middle East Policy Council and conducted by Arab World and Islamic Resources and School Services (AWAIR), had a Fall 2002 schedule which includes workshops in California, Texas, Arizona, Georgia, and more. A recent profile of the founder and executive director of AWAIR noted that she has "had a tremendous impact on schools nationwide, speaking in 160 cities in 42 states.

Conclusion

Jews, it is often said, are “the canary in the coal mine of civilization,” and as such the problems experienced by Jews in America's contemporary educational systems reflect a serious problem for American society as a whole. By exposing anti-Israelism and anti-Semitism on college campuses and in primary and secondary textbooks, we simultaneously reveal anti-intellectualism and a negative political influence in America's educational systems.

Publications

Tobin, Gary A., Aryeh Weinberg and Jenna Ferrer. The UnCivil University: Politics & Propaganda in American Education San Francisco: Institute for Jewish & Community Research, 2004. More Information...

PDF of Executive Summary

Studies of Anti-Semitic Beliefs and Attitudes About Israel

The Institute has completed national polling on anti-Semitic attitudes of Americans. Using sensitive questions about Holocaust denial, accusations of Jews killing Christ, and others, we have documented that anti-Semitism is growing among 18 to 34 year olds, and that most Americans hold at least one anti-Semitic stereotype. Further research will explore more fully the attitudes of 18 to 34 year olds to evaluate the origins of those beliefs, the relationship of anti-Israelism to anti-Semitism, and anti-Semitic beliefs of different religious groups.

We have shown that anti-Semitism among Americans is rising. We were able to demonstrate that those who identify with the Democratic Party tend to be more anti-Semitic than those who identify with the Republican Party. We have shown that the age-old anti-Semitic charge that Jews were primarily responsible for killing Jesus Christ is alive and well in the United States.

A number of opinion polls about Israel were fielded from 2001-2002. All were random samples of approximately one thousand Americans. Our polls have shown that the American public continues to be largely pro-Israel and believes Israel to be a far more reliable ally than most other countries.

Publications

Tobin, Gary A. and Sid Groeneman. Anti-Semitic Beliefs in the United States. San Francisco: Institute for Jewish & Community Research, 2003.

PDF

Tobin, Gary A. and Sid Groeneman. American Public Opinion Toward Israel & U.S. Policy in the Middle East: Post September 11, 2001. San Francisco: Institute for Jewish & Community Research, 2001.

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