In response to the rising instances of antisemitism on college campuses, governors and political leaders across the United States are increasing pressure on colleges to address the issue. Reports from POLITICO indicate that colleges are facing potential loss of funding and support unless they take decisive action to quell antisemitism.

The latest incident that prompted urgent action occurred at Cornell University, where online threats targeted Jewish students. Governor Kathy Hochul visited the university on Monday and emphasized the need to protect Jewish students from antisemitism. Hochul stated that threats cannot be ignored and called for greater empathy and understanding towards these students.

The Anti-Defamation League recently reported a staggering 400 percent increase in antisemitic incidents since the start of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7. Similarly, the Council on American Islamic Relations reported a rise in bias incidents against Muslims. This surge in hatred has adversely affected many college campuses, with students and staff expressing feelings of insecurity and clashing with administrators and protestors.

During her visit to Cornell, Governor Hochul met with students to discuss a series of violent antisemitic messages that had appeared on an online message board. These messages included threats to shoot up the university's kosher and multicultural dining room, which is located near the Center for Jewish Living building. Local authorities and the FBI are investigating these threats, including one that urged individuals to follow Jewish individuals home and harm them.

Cornell President Martha Pollack has affirmed that the university will not tolerate antisemitism or any form of hate crimes. Steps to enhance campus security have been implemented in response to the incidents. Just a few days prior to the threats, anti-Israel messages were spray-painted on sidewalks across the campus. Furthermore, a Cornell professor drew backlash for describing Hamas attacks as "exhilarating" and "energizing." He has since apologized and is currently on a leave of absence.

This surge in antisemitism on college campuses has also drawn the attention of politicians at both the state and federal level. To address this issue, the Biden administration is rolling out new actions, including a partnership between the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security and campus law enforcement to monitor hate-related discourse online. The Education Department's Office for Civil Rights is also expediting an update to its discrimination complaint form to include language emphasizing that certain types of antisemitism and Islamophobia are banned under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.

Several states have taken immediate action. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has moved to ban pro-Palestinian groups from Florida state colleges, while universities are being urged to discipline groups expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people following Hamas militants' attacks. In addition, billionaire hedge fund manager Leon Cooperman has pledged to stop donating money to Columbia University due to the increased instances of antisemitism on campus. Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has echoed this sentiment, urging alumni and the state to withhold funds from colleges that fail to address antisemitism effectively.

With New York having the largest Jewish population outside of Israel, the pressure and tensions to combat antisemitism are particularly strong in the state. State Senator Rob Ortt has called on the Democratic majority in the state Legislature to defund any institution that fails to address the rise in antisemitism on campuses statewide.

College campuses across the country have also witnessed disturbing incidents of antisemitism in recent weeks. At Columbia University, a swastika was found in a restroom, while an Israeli student was assaulted for confronting a woman removing posters featuring Israelis held hostage by Hamas. Jewish students at Columbia held a press conference condemning these acts and demanding university support. Similar concerns have been raised at Cooper Union and Emory University in Atlanta, where Jewish students expressed fears for their safety.

In response to these incidents, Attorney General Matthew Platkin of New Jersey has emphasized that colleges and public schools are required by state and federal laws to report incidents of bias and harassment.

Governor Hochul, who recently visited Israel as a sign of solidarity, has promised to take further steps in New York to combat hate speech on college campuses. She emphasized the distinction between antisemitic comments and freedom of speech, stressing that when speech crosses into hate speech or hate crimes, students must be assured that actions will be taken to protect them.