Students attend college to gain entry into a profession and increase their knowledge of the world. But Jewish students are increasingly finding themselves in a class they didn’t sign up for: Anti-Israel hostility. Jerusalem U, an Israel-based producer of Jewish educational programming, has just released “Crossing the Line 2”, a film about organized Anti-Israel activities on campus and how Jewish students can respond, that was screened at Teaneck’s Congregation Bnai Yeshurun (CBY) on April 18. Director Shoshana Palatnik presented the film and answered questions afterwards.
Palatnik was introduced to the reality of hostility towards Israel when she was a graduate student at York University. Her day school education in Toronto and Seattle, followed by undergraduate study at Touro College in New York, had left her unprepared for the hate directed at Israel on campus. After receiving her Master’s degree in Communication and Culture, she joined Jerusalem U, where she became involved in research, writing and filmmaking. “Crossing the Line 2” is Palatnik’s first film as director. She worked closely with Yitz Brilliant, editor and writer, and Raphael Shore, producer and founder of Jerusalem U. The goal of the film is to show students what they will face on campus so they are motivated to learn more and feel empowered to advocate for Israel.
Palatnik interviewed students on a variety of campuses, including schools in upstate New York, New York City, New Orleans, Michigan, California and Ohio. A student from Binghamton University talks about how Students for Justice in Palestine, a virulently anti-Israel organization, began a chapter there and what a jolt it was. He says, “I never thought this would happen on my campus.” Palatnik included interviews with non-Jewish students and commentators to give another perspective and show that anti-Israel hostility “is not just a Jewish issue.” The most riveting scene takes place in Ohio where four students were arrested for continuing to air their pro-Israel views in an anti-Israel forum. The footage of policemen handcuffing a young woman and leading her away is astonishing.
Several experts analyze anti-Israel movements on campus and agree they are well organized and funded. The film includes interviews with Robert Westrich, Professor of European and Jewish History at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and the head of the University’s Vidal Sassoon International Center for the Study of Anti-Semitism; Colonel Richard Kemp, Retired Commander of British Forces in Afghanistan; Roz Rothstein, founder of Stand With Us; and Aviva Slomich, International Campus Director of the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America (CAMERA).
Palatnik said she tried to make clear in the film that on a day to day basis Jewish students did not need to be fearful, but at certain times hatred against Israel can feel threatening. “Usually on campus everything is fine; you can wear your Magen David and no one is going to scream at you,” Palatnik said. “But there are certain times, like before the vote on divestment from Israel at Michigan, that Jewish students feel intimidated.”
The last few scenes in the film show students with Israeli flags, vocally supporting Israel. “I deliberately ended the film on a positive note so people feel inspired and empowered. Students can definitely make a difference and step up for Israel.”
Step up for Israel is also the name of a program Jerusalem U has developed in three versions: for high school students, college students and adults. Palatnik said that the film is meant to raise awareness, and resources like Step Up for Israel give students the facts and confidence to be heard.
“We need to shape our own narrative. And there’s no right or wrong way to step up for Israel on campus; it’s an individual choice for each student,” Palatnik said. “I personally don’t think that screaming matches or theatrics will change anyone’s mind. There’s a percentage of people who hate Israel and there’s nothing you can do to change their minds. But the majority of students are neutral or apathetic. Pro-Israel students should reach out to them.”
By Bracha Schwartz
