The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Dr. Ahmed Shaheed, presented a report to the United Nations General Assembly in 2019 on increased anti-Semitism around the world. It took more than two years for a recommended action plan to follow. This document was released in May 2022 for governments and other entities to combat anti-Semitism at all levels, including in the government, in education, and online. The action plan comes after an overall increase in anti-Semitic incidents around the world in 2021 and notes that while many officials have spoken out against anti-Semitism, others themselves have encouraged these ideas or displayed their own anti-Semitic views. . Many major Jewish organizations, such as the World Jewish Congress and the American Jewish Committee, have lauded this action plan and urge entities such as governments and non-governmental organizations to follow it to combat anti-Semitism. . The eight-point plan includes recommendations for governments to adopt their own strategies for fighting anti-Semitism, educating the general population, training educators on anti-Semitism and the Holocaust, implementing safety measures for the Jewish community, and countering further anti-Semitism on social media and other websites online. Significantly, it recommends that governments adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s Working Definition of Antisemitism (‘IHRA Definition’). This definition includes examples that demonstrate how certain conduct can be anti-Semitic if, among other things, it delegitimizes, demonizes, or places double standards on Israel. The Brandeis Center’s fact sheet ‘FAQs About Defining Anti-Semitism’, explains the IHRA Definition in the context of U.S. law. . Besides recommending action items for individual governments, the plan also recommends that States create or strengthen the connections between the Jewish community and other cultural or religious communities. It notes that international organizations should also condemn and combat anti-Semitism, as it does not only concern the Jewish people but is a broader human rights issue. The implementation of these suggestions will help to prevent further anti-Semitism through education on this issue and through the increased monitoring of incidents online and in other settings. . Implementing the UN Special Rapporteur’s ideas for combating anti-Semitism could help improve campus life for Jewish students. Educating university administrators, professors and student peers on anti-Semitism and the Holocaust could result in policy changes that better protect Jews on campus. . The adoption of the IHRA Definition by universities would also help students because those examples of anti-Semitism outlined by the definition will formally be considered anti-Semitic. For example, administrators often misunderstand many forms of anti-Semitism that Jewish college students face today as “anti-Israel” or “anti-Zionist” when they are anti-Semitic as well. Moreover, the IHRA Definition will help universities meet their legal obligations because – as our factsheet notes – federal agencies consider the IHRA Definition in determining whether universities are complying with federal antidiscrimination law. . The plan also discusses the anti-Semitism found across different social media platforms. A 2021 study from the Center for Countering Digital Hate noted that of the 714 posts they found that violated “platform standards on anti-Jewish hate”, 84% of these posts were not acted on – the post or account was not removed from the site, or the post was not flagged. These posts were seen by a wide audience and viewed up to 7.3 million times overall, further spreading hateful ideas about Jews. . At a broader level, the plan also encourages governments to monitor and record more data on anti-Semitism, and to adopt a zero-tolerance policy on anti-Semitism. In the United States specifically, data from both the FBI and the ADL show that even though hate crimes tend to be underreported, there have been a high number of anti-Semitic hate crimes recently. The 2020 FBI Hate Crime Statistics note that of 8,263 reported incidents, 683 incidents were anti-Jewish – the 3rd highest total for any group, even though Jews make up only about 2% of the U.S. population. The ADL’s 2021 Audit of Antisemitic Incidents shows that 2,717 antisemitic incidents were reported this year – the worst year on record and more than a 30% increase from the 2,026 reported in 2020. Responding to this increase in hate crimes – and reflecting the action plan’s call for better data on anti-Semitism – the state of Arizona recently adopted the IHRA Definition to guide its reporting of anti-Semitic hate crimes. Universities in the United States are also required to publicly report hate crimes under the Clery Act to help improve campus safety and to prevent further criminal offenses from occurring. Unfortunately, many anti-Semitic incidents are not reported by universities as hate crimes. Utilizing IHRA can improve the accuracy of their reporting, consistent with the action plan. . The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law has advocated for increased education on anti-Semitism not only in higher education but in elementary and secondary education as well. If the United States follows the recommended steps, the Brandeis Center’s Best Practices Guide for Combating Campus Anti-Semitism and Anti-Israelism will be especially helpful for universities hoping to have a detailed guide on how to best fight anti-Semitism and protect their Jewish students. An updated version of this Best Practices Guide will be available on the Brandeis Center’s website later this year.