How will Trump administration’s new definition of anti-Semitism affect students’ rights on college campuses?

The federal government is reopening a probe into an alleged anti-Semitic incident at New Jersey’s Rutgers University.
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The Star of David stands atop the Park East Synagogue, March 3, 2017 in New York City. Earlier on Friday morning in St. Louis, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) authorities arrested Juan Thompson, who is alleged to have recently made numerous threats against Jewish community centers, Jewish schools, a Jewish museum and the Anti-Defamation League. DREW ANGERER/GETTY IMAGES

The incident dates back to 2011, where Jewish students said they — and pro-Israel students — were the only ones charged a fee to attend an on-campus event on Israeli-Palestinian relations. The Zionist Organization of America filed a complaint against the university, claiming the fee was discriminatory. In 2014, the Obama administration cleared Rutgers of any wrongdoing and closed the case. But the Zionist group filed an appeal.

Last week, the Department of Education announced that it would revive the investigation and look at whether a “hostile environment” exists at the university. The agency cited a definition of anti-Semitism that encompasses certain expressions of anti-Israel sentiment. Pro-Palestinian groups denounced the move. We examine what anti-Semitism encompasses and discuss how will this definition affect students on college campuses

GUESTS:

Miriam Elman, associate professor of political science at Syracuse University

Estee Chandler, founding member of the Los Angeles chapter for Jewish Voice for Peace, a national organization that seeks an end to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem; she was recently elected to their national board of directors

Omar Zahzah, member of the group “Students for Justice in Palestine” at UCLA, a pro-Palestinian college student activism organization; board member of the Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM), a transnational network of young Palestinians worldwide

How will Trump administration’s new definition of anti-Semitism affect students’ rights on college campuses?

The federal government is reopening a probe into an alleged anti-Semitic incident at New Jersey’s Rutgers University.
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