Over 1,000 pro-Israel students, faculty gather as US campus antisemitism increases

Over 1,000 pro-Israel students, faculty, and young professionals gathered in Washington for the Israel on Campus Coalition's annual National Leadership Summit, held amid rising campus antisemitism. ICC CEO Jacob Baime said the summit aimed to help students confront antisemitism and develop bipartisan pro-Israel leaders. The event drew over 1,200 people, including more than 800 undergraduates and about 75 faculty members. Baime noted unprecedented interest, with a waiting list, and said challenges persist despite the absence of encampments, with hostility now less visible but coming from both left and right.

More than 1,000 pro-Israel students, professors, and young professionals gathered in Washington this week for the Israel on Campus Coalition's (ICC) annual National Leadership Summit, held at the Grand Hyatt over three days. ICC CEO Jacob Baime said the summit's central goals were helping students confront antisemitism and developing the next generation of bipartisan pro-Israel leaders in the US. The event drew over 1,200 people including staff and speakers, with more than 800 undergraduate students and roughly 75 pro-Israel faculty members. Baime reported unprecedented interest, with a waiting list, and said ICC could have doubled attendance if it had the capacity. The summit was organized around the theme 'American Zionist Proud,' intended to counter growing hostility toward Israel and Zionism on campuses. Baime acknowledged that despite the disappearance of visible anti-Israel encampments, challenges for Jewish students persist and may be increasing, with hostility now less visible but coming from both left and right. He highlighted the integration of campus and online conversations, with national figures and influencers shaping the debate. Students expressed gratitude for the sense of community, with many feeling isolated on their campuses. Baime remained optimistic, stating, 'You can change minds. You can win hearts. And we have the truth and morality on our side.'