Report: U of A ‘better than most’ in combating antisemitism

The league's 2026 report on campus antisemitism, released this week, gives the UA an overall grade of "B" or "Better than Most."

UA spokesperson Mitch Zak said the University of Arizona "appreciates the positive rating," including "its excellent rating for Jewish life on campus and its acknowledgment of the important role organizations such as Hillel and Chabad play in supporting Jewish students.”

“We are committed to ensuring that all students feel welcome, safe and supported on our campus. Looking ahead, we will continue working to provide the best possible environment where all students can learn, live and thrive as part of our community,” he said.

The report assesses the UA’s handling of antisemitism by looking into three areas on campus: the transparency of administrative actions combatting it, quality of Jewish life, and conduct and climate concerns.

In the administrative category, the report says the UA did well on:

• Its clear process for reporting antisemitic incidents;
• Having an advisory council to address antisemitism and support Jewish life;
• Having a clear religious accommodations policy in place;
• Having mandatory antisemitic education for students, faculty and staff;
• Publicly condemning antisemitic incidents;
• Maintaining partnerships with Israeli institutions; 
• Instituting policies prohibiting encampments and event disruptions.

In quality of life for Jewish students, faculty and staff, the report says the UA did well on:

• Having active Hillel, Chabad or other Jewish student organizations, Jewish Greek life, Jewish studies programs, Israel studies or study-abroad programs, and interfaith initiatives on campus;
• Having a rabbi or Jewish educator, Jewish religious services and a Jewish alumni group;
• Having a partnership with Jewish-allied organizations and an active pro-Israel group;  
• Promoting awareness of Jewish holidays.

In terms of campus conduct and climate concerns, the report says the UA did well on:

• Levels of less severe antisemitic and anti-Zionist incidents;
• Levels of hostile anti-Zionist student government activity;  
• Levels of hostile anti-Zionist faculty government and staff and faculty activity.

Areas where the university could do better according to the the Anti-Defamation League include:

• Including antisemitism in the UA’s code of conduct and policies;
• Having an official position against the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Campaign, which is “an international campaign aimed at delegitimizing and pressuring Israel,” according to the organization’s website;
• Offering Kosher dining.
• Combating levels of severe antisemitic and anti-Zionist incidents.

UA incidents in the last few years

Looking at the last few years, the report discussed the May 2024 protests at the UA against Israel's war actions in Gaza. 

It also mentioned August 2024 incidents when fliers were found on campus that read “There will be more October 7ths,” “Zionists ---- off” and “Solidarity means attack.” The same month, a sign was found on campus saying “Jews Killed Jesus” over an Israeli flag, it said.

And at an anti-Israel rally in November 2024, protesters chanted, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” and “There is only one solution, intifada revolution, globalize the intifada," the report said.

What did the UA do in response?

After the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023, which started the Israel-Hamas war, then-UA President Robert Robbins issued a statement emphasizing that Students for Justice in Palestine’s UA chapter — part of the national group that advocates for the Palestinian cause — did not speak on behalf of the UA and that the national organization’s endorsement of Hamas was “antithetical” to the university’s values, the report said.

The report also praised a November 2024 announcement there would be an Edwin and Alma Lakin Holocaust, Human Rights, and Comparative Genocide Endowed Chair in the Arizona Center for Judaic Studies.

The same year, the report said, the UA established a Jewish Advisory Council to offer ongoing feedback to university leaders on the campus climate for Jewish students, faculty and staff, and the UA includes antisemitism-related education within its broader anti-bias and non-discrimination trainings for employees, administered by the Office of Institutional Equity.

Additionally, all UA Police Department officers are required to attend a United States Holocaust Memorial Museum course, the report said. The UA hosted a Conflict Resolution and De-escalation Skills Symposium in July 2025 with its Threat Assessment & Management Team, and also encourages civil discourse on campus through the Center for the Philosophy of Freedom.