Headlines

UCLA Faces DOJ Lawsuit Over Campus Antisemitism Allegations
Michigan Candidate Ad Sparks Antisemitism Debate
Poland Signs IHRA Declaration Against Antisemitism

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You're listening to Antisemitism Watch, I'm Rachel Adler. We're launching Antisemitism Watch: Mid-Atlantic, providing focused coverage from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and the Philadelphia region. Visit clockwork media dot org slash M A.

Today, we begin with significant developments in campus antisemitism. According to the Daily Bruin, the University of California Board of Regents is asking a judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice. The lawsuit alleges that UCLA allowed discrimination and antisemitism against Israeli and Jewish employees and students, particularly during the spring 2024 Palestine solidarity encampment. The DOJ claimed the encampment featured antisemitic chants and posters and excluded Jewish people. The UC acknowledged in its motion that some employees were exposed to antisemitism on campus following the protests but asked the judge to dismiss the suit, citing the university’s efforts to address discrimination. The DOJ had launched an investigation into the UC system in March 2025 over these allegations.

We turn now to political rhetoric and a controversy involving a Michigan Senate candidate. Newsweek reports that an advertisement supporting Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed has been accused of antisemitism for insinuating that Jews, or the Jewish state, are responsible for the economic misfortunes of ordinary Americans, echoing historical antisemitic accusations regarding economic suffering. The ad, circulated by Rebellion PAC, blames rising grocery prices on U.S. aid to Israel. Letters to the editor in The New York Post called the message 'vicious antisemitism.' World Israel News reports that El-Sayed's campaign distanced itself from the ad but initially stopped short of explicitly condemning its content as antisemitic. This response drew criticism from various groups, including the Republican Jewish Coalition and Democratic Rep. Dan Goldman of New York, who demanded an unequivocal condemnation. The Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt condemned the advertisement as 'a case study in antisemitism.' El-Sayed later apologized to Michigan Jewish Democrats for not immediately condemning the ad. His campaign spokeswoman stated the ad was not affiliated with the campaign and that El-Sayed was focused on opposing economic policies, according to World Israel News.

In the UK, BBC News reports that three Birmingham Labour MPs are demanding the city's Green Party disown a motion declaring Zionism a form of racism, threatening the city's power-sharing coalition. The motion, adopted by the Green Party, supports a 'single democratic Palestinian state in all of historic Palestine' and describes Zionism as an ideology supporting an 'ethnonationalist Jewish state.' Critics, including the Labour MPs, called the motion 'abhorrent' and said it echoes antisemitic movements. Birmingham Greens stated in a release that their councillors 'stand against rising antisemitism' and that Jewish residents have 'an absolute right to feel safe and valued.' The party's statement added that they do not believe opposition to genocide, ethnic cleansing, or apartheid conflicts with supporting Jewish life.

Turning to policy responses, Cleveland Jewish News reports that Mayor Andrzej Pietrasik of Płońsk, Poland, signed the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, or IHRA, declaration against antisemitism. The signing took place on Monday, October 27, 2026, the 84th anniversary of the liquidation of the local ghetto. Israel’s ambassador to Poland, Ya’akov Finkelstein, attended the event. The IHRA working definition for antisemitism includes contemporary phenomena such as the demonization of the Jewish state.

In advocacy, the Board of Deputies of British Jews, according to their reporting, has launched an expanded Employer's Guide to Jews and Judaism. The guide offers practical support for employers to understand Jewish employees and create inclusive workplaces, aiming to combat workplace antisemitism. The initiative, part of the BoD@Work programme, was welcomed by government and business leaders. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds stated it will help create workplaces where Jewish colleagues feel safe and valued. Lord Mann, HM Government’s Independent Adviser on Antisemitism, called it 'one of the most significant initiatives of recent years.'

We also mark eight years since the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history. JNS.org reports that Pittsburgh held a public ceremony this week to commemorate the October 27, 2018 mass shooting at the Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha Congregation, where eleven Jewish worshippers were killed. Volunteers also participated in charitable activities, including serving meals and cleaning Jewish cemeteries, as part of ongoing remembrance efforts.

Finally, in community response and restitution, JTA reports that two Jewish ritual textiles, looted by Nazis during Kristallnacht 88 years ago, have been returned to Berlin from an Arizona synagogue. A Holocaust survivor acquired the items in post-war Germany and brought them to Phoenix. After remaining with Temple Chai in Phoenix for decades, the Torah wimple and ark curtain were returned to Berlin in a ceremony attended by community members and officials.

I'm Rachel Adler, thank you for listening to Antisemitism Watch.

For focused coverage from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and the Philadelphia region, listen to Antisemitism Watch: Mid-Atlantic at clockwork media dot org slash M A.

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

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Sources:
- jns.org: https://www.jns.org/news/u-s-news/pittsburgh-marks-eight-years-since-tree-of-life-synagogue-shooting
- dailybruin.com: https://dailybruin.com/2026/10/27/uc-asks-judge-to-dismiss-doj-lawsuit-alleging-ucla-allowed-antisemitism
- jewishlink.news: https://jewishlink.news/east-brunswick-boe-candidates-face-antisemitism-questions/
- bbc.com: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c6dxwzd5dreno
- youtube.com: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2233jm7n6-4
- jns.org: https://www.jns.org/opinion/steve-wenick/oct-7-and-the-enduring-mystery-of-antisemitism
- newsweek.com: https://www.newsweek.com/abdul-el-sayed-antisemitism-ad-israel-michigan-senate-12624347
- nypost.com: https://nypost.com/2026/10/27/opinion/pro-abdul-el-sayed-ads-antisemitic-message-letters/
- news.sky.com: https://news.sky.com/video/angela-rayner-speaks-out-on-antisemitism-at-conference-13604482
- clevelandjewishnews.com: https://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/jns/mayor-of-ben-gurion-s-polish-hometown-adopts-ihra-antisemitism-definition/article_2691a0e3-62cd-5b33-9ec5-ec4b8b66e89e.html
- bod.org.uk: https://bod.org.uk/bod-news/board-of-deputies-employers-guide-jews-judaism/
- JTA: https://www.jta.org/2026/10/27/global/jewish-treasures-stolen-by-nazis-88-years-ago-come-home-thanks-to-an-arizona-synagogue
- worldisraelnews.com: https://worldisraelnews.com/el-sayed-under-fire-for-tepid-response-to-antisemitic-campaign-ad/