Contrary to conventional wisdom in much of the Jewish community, there is a very little anti-Israel or anti-Semitic activity on U.S. and Canadian college campuses, according to a new study.
The American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise in Washington, headed by U.S.-Mideast policy analyst Mitchell Bard, found that 97 percent of the more than 100 universities tracked during the 2011-2012 academic year reported no such disturbing activity.
One-third of the 674 anti-Israel events recorded took place on 10 campuses, four of which were in the University of California system. Two anti-Israel groups, the Muslim Students Association and Students for Justice in Palestine, sponsored most of the events.
The study results call into question the numerous organizations formed in recent years to combat anti-Israel sentiment on campus, and the large sums of money they have raised. Although some may suggest that the pro-Israel efforts, and presence, on campus is a positive, contributing factor.
The report concluded that the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement on campus “has largely backfired, and ties [between U.S. colleges and Israel] are stronger than ever and continue to grow.”
That is good news, indeed. We wonder if our community will be able to handle it.
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