Universities on both sides of the Atlantic are failing to protect Jewish students from a dangerous tide of antisemitic disinformation that’s flooding campuses, according to a sharp new op-ed from Fox News contributor Helena Ivanov. The warning echoes broader findings from AP News, Time, and U.K. media outlets—all documenting a disturbing global trend.
At a Glance
- Jewish students report rising harassment fueled by unchecked online disinformation
- Social media platforms have dismantled key fact-checking tools
- Studies show nearly 60% of students rely on social media for news but lack media literacy
- Administrators often cite “free speech” to avoid taking action
- U.S., U.K., and Australia are all seeing campus antisemitism surge
The Social Media Problem
Platforms like Meta and X have scaled back fact-checking in favor of permissive “community framing,” making it easier for antisemitic conspiracy theories and propaganda to thrive. As Fox News notes, this rollback leaves Jewish students increasingly exposed to hostile content.
The Growing Threat on Campus
Research cited by Time shows Jewish students in the U.S. are more isolated and under pressure than at any point in recent memory. Many avoid campus spaces out of fear, while hostile social climates make them feel unsafe voicing Jewish or pro-Israel identities.
At Harvard, AP News reports that recent internal reviews found a sharp spike in antisemitic incidents—prompting the university to pledge reforms, training, and stronger policy enforcement.
U.K. and Australia: A Global Pattern
It’s not just America. According to The Times, Jewish students in the U.K. are now reporting being “scared to leave halls” after campus groups circulated pro-Hamas propaganda. In Australia, The Daily Telegraph documents that Sydney University has formally cracked down on one student association after distributing antisemitic material.
Universities Falling Short
Ivanov argues that too many universities are hiding behind “free speech” rather than taking action. Jewish students face harassment, while campus leaders hesitate to impose discipline—even when disinformation clearly crosses into hate speech.
What Must Change
Experts across the political spectrum call for urgent steps:
- Restore fact-checking systems on major platforms
- Mandate media literacy training on campuses
- Enforce policies against antisemitic disinformation
Without serious intervention, universities risk allowing online hatred to dictate campus culture—leaving Jewish students unprotected and sidelined in an increasingly toxic environment.
