What happened
A former student government president at the University of California, Santa Barbara, has spoken out about the antisemitism she faced on campus after expressing support for Israel. The student, who is the daughter of Jewish immigrants, posted a statement on social media standing with the people of Israel and the Jewish community after the attacks in Israel on October 7, 2023.
She was subsequently accused online of supporting genocide and faced a campaign to force her to resign from office. Handwritten signs targeting her appeared outside her office, falsely charging her with supporting genocide and proclaiming that resistance is justified. The student also received direct threats, including one that read, You can run, but you can’t hide.
The university's response to the incident was criticized, with some blaming the student for the temporary closing of the Multicultural Center and for the silencing of free speech. A recall petition was debated by the student Senate, but ultimately failed by one vote. The student finished her term and graduated in June 2024, and has since been advocating for Jewish students on American college campuses.
The incident is part of a larger trend of antisemitism on college campuses, with 47% of young American Jews indicating they were victims of antisemitism in 2025. The student's experience highlights the need for universities to address antisemitism and ensure that Jewish students feel safe and included on campus.
