Antisemitism Watch

Qatar's University Funding Fuels Campus Antisemitism Concerns
HHS Issues Guidance Clarifying Protections Against Antisemitism in Healthcare
Antisemitic Incidents Rise in Spain, Warning of Normalization

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Antisemitism Watch

Antisemitism Watch is a daily monitoring and analysis program tracking antisemitism worldwide — incidents, rhetoric, policy, and institutional responses — r

📝 Transcript

You're listening to Antisemitism Watch, I'm Rachel Adler.

Today, we're examining the complex web of foreign influence on American campuses, the political fallout from controversial rhetoric, vital governmental policy shifts, and a worrying increase in antisemitism abroad.

According to reporting reviewed for this episode, Qatar has provided billions in funding to American universities, including $737 million to Northwestern University alone. This funding raises questions about the influence Qatar is buying within institutions shaping how young Americans understand the Middle East. The article notes that textbooks in Qatar teach its children that Jews are inherently disloyal and that Hitler was justified because Jews caused Germany to lose World War I. Furthermore, aspects of funding deals documented by reporting give Qatar control, direction, or substantial influence over institutional actions, citing an agreement with Georgetown University that requires consultation on conference themes and speakers. In the wake of the October 7th attacks, the Qatar Foundation, supported by the Qatari government, reportedly held a call with American university deans in Doha, including Northwestern, instructing Northwestern's communications team to be 'aligned and in touch' with the foundation and requesting 'information sharing and no surprises.'

In politics, Michigan US Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed is facing political fallout over his association with Twitch streamer Hasan Piker. According to reporting, Piker has made statements such as 'America deserved 9/11,' 'I hate America,' and has stated that 'in a totally just world... any kind of fucking Zionist tendency should be treated in the same way as being a fucking rabid neo-Nazi.' Piker's rhetoric, described as stridently anti-Israel and anti-Zionist, has become a liability for El-Sayed in his race. Separately, JD Vance is facing attacks for his association with Tucker Carlson, who is labeled an antisemite, according to reporting reviewed for this episode.

Turning to institutional responses, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has issued a guidance letter to healthcare providers and entities receiving department funding. The letter clarifies how federal antidiscrimination laws apply to instances of antisemitism. According to HHS, Jewish and Israeli patients, students, and healthcare professionals are entitled to equal access and treatment without discrimination. The guidance states that antisemitic conduct may violate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act when it involves discrimination based on Jewish ancestry, ethnic characteristics, or Israeli national origin. Examples provided include delaying treatment or imposing additional security requirements. The guidance also specifies that recipients of HHS funds may not intentionally create a hostile environment or retaliate against those who report discrimination. The letter calls for the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of Jew-hatred to be considered. The American Jewish Medical Association told JNS that the letter is an 'important step' in clarifying protections.

Internationally, antisemitic incidents in Spain rose significantly in 2025. The Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain reported 221 incidents, a 14.5% increase from 193 in 2024, warning that hatred is being 'normalized.' Data from Spain's Interior Ministry also shows a jump in hate crimes targeting Jews. The report details incidents like vandalism of Holocaust memorials, desecration of Jewish graves, and individual harassment. FCJE president David Obadía stated that 'Our children are the only ones who go to school with a police presence,' and FCJE spokesperson María Royo attributed the rise to 'campaigns against Israel,' noting that some groups 'blame all Jews.' Esteban Ibarra, president of the Movement Against Intolerance, emphasized that antisemitism is a form of hatred distinct from political disagreements.

In Australia, the Supreme Court of Queensland has overturned a penalty imposed on Greens councillor Trina Massey, who had been ordered to repay $10,000 and issue an apology for a newsletter discussing the Gaza conflict. The court found the council's ethics committee report invalid. The ethics committee had previously stated that Massey's article was 'essentially propaganda' that 'could reasonably be expected to make members of the Jewish community feel unsafe, victimised, and targeted,' though it did not describe the article as antisemitic. The matter is set to be reinvestigated by the council ethics committee.

Finally, on positive developments, former Israeli Ambassador Ron Dermer told a Las Vegas Valley gathering that Jewish people must lead the fight against antisemitism with Israel's support. Dermer highlighted Israel's importance and discussed past and present antisemitism, stating that while it cannot be ended, it can be 'pushed back.' He applied the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s criteria – demonization, double standards, and delegitimization – suggesting these 'three Ds' account for 'about 95 percent of the antisemitism that’s out there,' particularly in rhetoric surrounding Israel. He also named Abdul El-Sayed, Zohran Mamdani, and Tucker Carlson as individuals he considers antisemites. According to the Anti-Defamation League, over 6,200 antisemitic incidents were reported in the U.S. in 2025.

We'll continue to monitor these and other developments in the fight against antisemitism. I'm Rachel Adler, thank you for listening to Antisemitism Watch.

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This report was generated with AI assistance and may contain inaccuracies. Please verify important details with primary sources.

📚 Sources

Sources:
- chicagotribune.com: https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/09/04/opinion-northwestern-us-colleges-qatar-antisemitism/
- thenation.com: https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/abdul-el-sayed-hasan-piker-dirtbag-leftists/
- facebook.com: https://www.facebook.com/DailyWire/posts/vp-vance-addresses-tucker-carlsons-comments-on-the-trump-administration-and-abdu/1431786465481597/
- youtube.com: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIDFxaVqqTM
- jns.org: https://www.jns.org/news/u-s-news/hhs-issues-guidance-on-combating-jew-hatred-in-healthcare
- jta.org: https://www.jta.org/2026/09/03/global/spains-jewish-federation-reports-over-200-antisemitic-incidents-in-2025
- watoday.com.au: https://www.watoday.com.au/national/queensland/greens-councillor-wins-court-battle-over-gaza-newsletter-penalty-20260828-p60shb.html
- reviewjournal.com: https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-las-vegas/ron-dermer-urges-las-vegas-jewish-community-to-lead-fight-against-antisemitism-3881939/