500 Students from 153 Campuses Gather with Israel on Campus Coalition to Tackle Antisemitism

This fall, Jewish college students will face a unique situation as they return to campuses across the United States amidst ongoing conflict involving the Jewish state. For the first time since Israel's War of Independence in 1948, students will confront an active war scenario. Jacob Baime, CEO of the Israel on Campus Coalition, highlighted this unprecedented reality during the group's annual conference in Washington, D.C., attended by 500 students from 153 campuses.

Baime noted a significant increase in participation, with student attendance more than doubling from the previous year. "There’s so much demand from the students to come together and to stand up for what’s right," he said. The coalition is already planning for larger future gatherings, aiming for as many as 1,000 participants next year.

The catalyst for this mobilization was the Hamas terrorist attacks on October 7, which ignited a strong desire among pro-Israel students to become active and vocal advocates. Baime acknowledged the challenges these students face in standing up for Israel but expressed optimism about their determination and passion. "It has been inspiring," he said. "Even as it’s becoming more challenging to stand up for Israel and to stand up for what’s right, more students want to do it."

The conference's objectives extend beyond rallying pro-Israel support. Baime emphasized the importance of building alliances, finding a voice in digital activism, and promoting the shared values between Israel and the United States. "This is not just about Israel," he said, encouraging students to broaden their impact and outreach.

Security and safety were also prominent topics at the conference. The coalition partnered with organizations such as Secure Community Network, Hillel International, and Chabad on Campus International to address concerns about physical safety. "One of the top things that we’ve heard from students is that they’re concerned about physical safety," Baime said. In response, the conference implemented heightened security measures, including hiring an external security firm to ensure the safety of attendees.

Baime expressed gratitude that speakers from Israel were able to attend the event despite the challenging security situation in the region. "We were thinking, are any of our Israel-based speakers going to make it because of the security situation in Israel?" he said. "They were, and they did. They all made it."

As the demand for such conferences continues to grow, Baime is already planning for next year. "It’s one of those things where we’ll have to take a leap, and we need to sign with a hotel real soon if we’re going to do it," he said. The coalition's commitment to combating antisemitism and supporting Israel remains unwavering, reflecting a robust and proactive response to the ongoing challenges faced by Jewish students on campuses across the country.

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