The World Union of Jewish Students (WUJS) supports positive social change for students globally during times of conflict

Stream: Identity and Online Advocacy

Trigger Warning: This paper mentions aspects of the Israel-Gaza war that is currently ongoing from October 7, 2023, to present. It also mentions sexual violence, kidnapping, hostage situations, rape, terrorist-organizations, and other themes that could be distressing. Please take caution reading this paper and seek help you find anything distressing. If you do choose to read it, I implore you to keep an open mind to help breakout of potential filter bubbles (intellectual isolation).

 

Acknowledgement to Country (Boodja)

Curtin University acknowledges all First Nations of this place we call Australia and the First Nations peoples connected with our global campuses. We are committed to working in partnership with all Custodians and Owners to strengthen and embed First Nations’ voices and perspectives in our decision-making, now and into the future. (Curtin University, 2018)

 

Introduction

This essay will discuss how the organisation World Union of Jewish Students, hereby known as WUJS confront a multitude of issues Jewish students face. Established by “Hersch Lauterpacht in 1924”, WUJS is a worldwide union that represents Jewish students (World Union of Jewish Students, n.d.). WUJS aims to promote equity and “unity” among Jewish students and create a sense of “empowerment” with “global activism efforts” such as debating webinars (World Union of Jewish Students, n.d.). The organisation WUJS will be discussed using the stream: Identity and online advocacy.  Individual identity can be understood as an amalgamation of various factors including “social, cultural, economic or political realities” (Goffman, 1959, as cited in Papacharissi, 2010, p. 304). Particularly, the idea that Zionist political beliefs are a large aspect of some Jewish identities and can be positively promoted online via the social networking platform Instagram by WUJS is discussed. WUJS take a general Zionist stance, with one of the core beliefs being Israel as the Jewish homeland. The first section will discuss how the hashtag, #BringBackOurGirls, hereby known as #BBOG was utilised by WUJS on International Women’s Day (IWD) to promote positive social change. Secondly, the idea that Israel Apartheid Week, hereby known as ‘IAW’ is antisemitic (hateful towards Jews) will be discussed. Lastly, the idea that Antisemitism is prevalent on university campuses will be discussed, and the idea WUJS legal assistance is an asset to students. This paper will argue that WUJS promotes positive social change via Instagram in relation to issues including: #BBOG, Israel Apartheid Week (IAW), and antisemitism on campus.

 

Bring Back Our Girls (#BBOG) and International Women’s Day (IWD)

The Instagram post (see image below) made by WUJS on March 8, 2024, marking ‘International Women’s Day (IWD)’, promotes justice by demanding the release of female Israeli hostages using the ‘#BringBackOurGirls (#BBOG)’ hashtag (World Union of Jewish Students, 2024). The #BBOG hashtag originates from “2014” with the kidnapping of “276” schoolgirls by “Boko Haram, an Islamic extremist group” in “Nigeria” (Harrison et al., 2021, p. 2). The hashtag, invented by “Ify Eluze… a Nigerian girl” encouraged “world leaders” to emancipate the schoolgirls from slavery, forced conjugal association and other illegal acts (Harrison et al., 2021, p. 2). Using the petitioning platform “Change.org”, Eluze’s petition and hashtag gained global attention and success with over 1-million signatures (Harrison et al., 2021, p. 2). Additionally, it gained support from former first lady of the United States, “Michelle Obama”, who was captured holding up a sign reading “#BBOG” on May 7, 2014 (Harrison et al., 2021, p. 2). The method used by Mrs. Obama was replicated by WUJS, with a half a dozen Jewish representatives holding up signs with the same inscription “#BBOG” on March 8, 2024, one decade after the original post (by Michelle Obama) was made (World Union of Jewish Students, 2024). The purpose of the post made by WUJS, is to promote attention and the release of the female Israeli-hostages in Gaza at present (World Union of Jewish Students, 2024).

An article released by the United Nations on March 4, quotes “Pramila Patten, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict” reporting on the treatment of the Israeli-hostages by the terrorist organization Hamas and accomplices in Gaza (United Nations, 2024). Ms. Patten’s findings suggest acts of “rape and sexualised torture” are being committed by Hamas and accomplices against female Israeli-hostages. Ms. Patten’s “recommendations” for this issue include: the “immediate release” of “all…hostages”, the persecution of those committing sexual violence, and a “humanitarian ceasefire” (United Nations, 2024). Ms. Pattern’s recommendations reflect the political and humanitarian beliefs expressed by WUJS in their #BBOG post closely, where female equality and justice is promoted on behalf of female Israeli-hostages (World Union of Jewish Students, 2024). The intelligent coordination of this post being made on March 8, 2024, IWD, utilises the globally celebrated day to promote social and tangible change for female Israeli-hostages (World Union of Jewish Students, 2024). The post made by WUJS effectively projects views held by many Jewish university students, reaffirming their identities as Jewish and their political views as outlined in Ms. Patten’s recommendations. The political viewpoint on “Israel Apartheid Week” is also commented on by WUJS as a representation of the Jewish members political ideals and beliefs (World Union of Jewish Students, 2024b).

Image reference:

World Union of Jewish Students. (2024a, March 8). BRING BACK OUR GIRLS. www.instagram.com. https://www.instagram.com/p/C4P58j5NgbQ/?img_index=1

 

 

 

Israel Apartheid Week (IAW)

Social change is promoted by WUJS (see image below) by highlighting the negative implications of “Israel Apartheid Week”, an event the union describes as problematic due to “discrimination, extremism and antisemitism” in support of Jewish students and their rights (World Union of Jewish Students, 2024b). Notably, ‘Israel Apartheid Week’ (IAW), commenced on “March 2024” at the “University of Cape Town (UCT)” with large student demonstrations (Adams, 2024). The purpose of IAW is allegedly to voice “Palestinian injustice since 1948”, the year the state of Israel was created (Adams, 2024). Acknowledging that both Jewish people and Palestinians have a complicated history, and “collective trauma” is vital to understanding why events such as IAW exist (Rees & Moussa, 2023, p. 4). Jewish people share “transgenerational trauma”, or inherited emotional distress, related to the tragedy of the “Holocaust” and other injustices, where the genocide of over 6-millon Jews took place up until the year 1945 (Rees & Moussa, 2023, p. 4). Palestinians have “transgenerational trauma” as well, due to “forced displacement, dispossession and oppression” leading to events such as IAW being invented (Rees & Moussa, 2023, p. 4).

WUJS condemns IAW due to the use of “Hamas, Hezbollah and PIJ (Palestine Islamic Jihad – militant group) flags” along with “antisemitic slurs” being targeted at Jewish individuals (World Union of Jewish Students, 2024b). The notion positive social change can be made by WUJS condemning antisemitic events such as IAW to prevent religious discrimination is imperative. Acknowledging the Palestinian people’s suffrage over time is necessary as well, along with condemning Islamophobia as another form of prejudice. However, WUJS suggests that IAW is the wrong method of supporting the Palestinian people as it discriminates against another minority- Jews. According to Alums for Campus Fairness (2024), the claim that Israel is an Apartheid state is refuted as “citizens” have equality regardless of their background.

Unlike IAW suggests, “South Africa’s” history of “apartheid” caused “racial segregation” between people of colour and Caucasians, unlike in Israeli society (Alums for Campus Fairness, 2024). The ongoing war between Israel and Gaza must be acknowledged as a large factor escalating tensions between Israelis, Palestinians, and others globally. According to Rees and Moussa (2023, p. 5), large numbers of people are adversely impacted by “the trauma” of the Israel-Gaza war for a multitude of reasons. The suggestion given is for “community leaders” to “advocate” for peace (Rees & Moussa, 2023, p. 5). Therefore, instead of spreading hate, WUJS uses Instagram to promote peace on university campuses and that includes condemning antisemitic events such as IAW that take place in South Africa and other countries. The idea that antisemitism is unacceptable on university campuses is promoted further by WUJS via Instagram, by offering legal action for Jewish students against antisemitic incidents where appropriate.

 

Image reference:

World Union of Jewish Students. (2024b, March 27). WUJS’ message in response to “Israel Apartheid Week”. Www.instagram.com. https://www.instagram.com/p/C4–FFHNj1k/?img_index=2

 

 

Antisemitism on university campuses worldwide

Antisemitism can be defined as a negative “perception of Jews” that derives from “hatred” (Anti-Defamation League, 2021). WUJS addresses the growing antisemitism Jewish university students are experiencing, via Instagram, to promote social change by condemning antisemitism and offering legal counsel where possible (World Union of Jewish Students, 2024c). According to Anti-Defamation League (2021), antisemitism can be expressed in a multitude of ways, including but not limited to, animosity “towards the Jewish State of Israel” in certain cases. WUJS explains that after an Italian university student made a substantial complaint about “hostility against…Jewish students” they were prompted to offer legal assistance (World Union of Jewish Students, 2024c). As the Italian case was kept anonymous by WUJS, an insight into Antisemitism experienced by Australian Jewish university students (hereby known as AJUS) will be made. According to a study conducted by the Social Research Centre (2023), AJUS are experiencing high levels of antisemitism leading to further negative implications. The key results of the study suggest “64%” of AJUS are exposed to “antisemitism at university” which is a concerning finding (Social Research Centre, 2023). Additionally, “57%” of AJUS conceal their Jewish heritage to avoid antisemitism and “29%” of antisemitic acts were allegedly committed by “university staff” (Social Research Centre, 2023). Considering religious freedom should be prevalent in a multicultural society such as Australia, these findings give further context to why WUJS are offering legal aid for Jewish students. Additionally, university staff members should support AJUS in their studies, not discriminate against them. The Social Research Centre (2023) findings show how alarming it is that many Australian universities have not “adopted a definition of antisemitism” to prevent issues such as these. Understanding this, it can be seen why WUJS offering to support Jewish students facing antisemitism, and promoting these solutions publicly via Instagram supports positive social change. Further evidence of antisemitism on campus was presented by nine American college students to “members of congress in Washington D.C” (Hartocollis, 2024). Some of these students detailed “being spat on and cursed” simply for wearing “Star of David necklaces” and kippahs or “skullcaps” (Hartocollis, 2024). The freedom for Jewish people to wear their religious symbols and headdress is being compromised by antisemitism. Additionally, according to Hartocollis (2024), student Joe Gindi explained that pro-Palestine protesters yelled “We don’t want Zionists here!” towards him. This is an antisemitic remark asserting that those who believe Israel is the Jewish homeland (a core Zionist belief) don’t have the right to study on the same campus as those with opposing views. These kind of discriminatory, antisemitic occurrences on university and college campuses are why organisations such as WUJS are vital to ensuring Jewish students feel protected and legally represented if needed.

 

Image reference:

World Union of Jewish Students. (2024c, April 3). WUJS, IJL and B’nai B’rith International have partnered to support students facing antisemitism on campus. Www.instagram.com. https://www.instagram.com/p/C5TTTL3tVDw/?img_index=1

 

 

Conclusion

Social change is created by WUJS via Instagram in a multitude of ways. The use of the repurposed of hashtag ‘Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG)’ by WUJS on ‘International Women’s Day (IWD)’, is one of the ways the organisation creates global outreach (World Union of Jewish Students, 2024a). The BBOG hashtag, invented in 2014 in response to the Boko Haram abduction targeted world leaders to act swiftly using a virtual petition (Harrison et al., 2021). An unfortunate parallel to this case is highlighted by a WUJS Instagram post on March 8, 2024 (IWD), broadcasting attention to the sexual violence and war crimes being committed by Hamas, a terrorist organisation, to the women being held hostage in Gaza at present (United Nations 2024). The use of the BBOG hashtag for the Israeli-hostages by WUJS aims to create social change and action by pressuring the Israeli Government and world leaders to negotiate the “release of all Israeli hostages” within Gaza (United Nations, 2024).

Within the second section of this paper, an Instagram post by WUJS giving a statement on ‘Israel Apartheid Week (IAW)’ in South Africa was discussed (World Union of Jewish Students, 2024b). The issues with IAW are highlighted by WUJS, including antisemitism with terrorist group flags being promoted at the event (World Union of Jewish Students, 2024b). Despite IAW’s aim to be bringing awareness to Palestinian suffrage, issues are analysed with the way IAW is conducted (Adams, 2024). Evidence to support the issues with IAW is reinforced by Alums for Campus Fairness (2024), who explain Israeli citizens have equality regardless of their race or religion. A medical journal study is also referenced by Rees and Moussa (2023) to acknowledge the “transgenerational trauma” suffered by both Palestinian and Jewish people, essentially amplifying tensions between the two groups. Ultimately, the idealistic a recommendation of “peace” is given to minimise trauma for both groups (Rees & Moussa, 2023). The evidence analysed supports the fact IAW is executed in a negative manner, adversely impacting Jewish students. WUJS support for students negatively impacted by IAW, creates positive social change by condemning the antisemitic event, in support of Jewish students right to safety and belonging on campuses (IAW).

Within the third section of this paper, an Instagram post about antisemitism on campus was discussed (World Union of Jewish Students, 2024c). The definition of antisemitism is discussed as being hateful acts towards or targeted hate speech regarding Jewish individuals (Anti-Defamation League, 2021). Through analysing the study on the ‘Jewish experience on campus survey’ by Social Research Centre (2023), concerning themes and statistics were found. This includes amplified antisemitism on campuses, Jewish students feeling unsafe and unsupported by staff and being targeted for their beliefs (Social Research Centre, 2023). Additional evidence to support these issues is discussed with an article by Hartocollis (2024), discussing what Jewish college students told congress in Washington D.C they are experiencing. Reports of spitting, antisemitic slurs, and hatred for Jewish students by certain pro-Palestinian protesters was discussed (Hartocollis, 2024).  According to Hartocollis (2024), Jewish students in America don’t feel safe wearing religious symbols (Star of David) and dress (skullcaps) due to experiences such as these. The promotion of legal assistance by WUJS promotes positive social change for Jewish students who can seek help from the union when problematic events such as those described occur.

After evaluating various ways WUJS promotes social change on Instagram, it can be overwhelming stated their virtual outreach is positive and beneficial to Jewish students and non-Jewish people who hold interest to these issues (#BBOG, IWD, IAW, and Antisemitism on campus).

 

 

References

Adams, A. (2024, April 5). Israeli Apartheid Week: A Student’s Reflection On Palestine. Her Campus. https://www.hercampus.com/school/uct/israeli-apartheid-week-a-students-reflection/

Alums for Campus Fairness. (2024). Israeli Apartheid Week – Alums for Campus Fairness. Campus Fairness. https://www.campusfairness.org/iaw/

Anti-Defamation League. (2021, February 19). About the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism. Www.adl.org; Anti-Defamation League. https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounder/about-ihra-working-definition-antisemitism

Curtin University. (2018, July 2). Centre for Aboriginal Studies. Centre for Aboriginal Studies. https://karda.curtin.edu.au/

Harrison, T. M., Dumas, C., DePaula, N., Fake, T., May, W., Atrey, A., Lee, J., Rishi, L., & Ravi, S. S. (2021). Exploring E-petitioning and media: The case of #BringBackOurGirls. Government Information Quarterly, 39(1), 101569. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2021.101569

Hartocollis, A. (2024, March 1). Jewish Students Describe Facing Antisemitism on Campus to Members of Congress. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/01/us/antisemitism-campus-jewish-students.html

Papacharissi, Z. (Ed.). (2010). Conclusion. In A Networked Self : Identity, Community, and Culture on Social Network Sites (pp. 304–317). Taylor & Francis Group. https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/curtin/reader.action?docID=574608&ppg=10&pq-origsite=primo

Rees, S., & Moussa, B. (2023). Invisible wounds of the Israel–Gaza war in Australia. Medical Journal of Australia, 220(1), 4–6. https://doi.org/10.5694/mja2.52168

Social Research Centre. (2023). The Jewish University Experience Survey – summary of the survey. AUJS – Australian Union of Jewish Students, 1–5. https://aujs.com.au/src-survey/

United Nations. (2024, March 4). “Clear and convincing information” that hostages held in Gaza subjected to sexual violence, says UN Special Representative | UN News. News.un.org. https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/03/1147217

World Union of Jewish Students. (n.d.). ABOUT. Wujs. Retrieved April 17, 2024, from https://www.wujs.org.il/about

World Union of Jewish Students. (2024a, March 8). BRING BACK OUR GIRLS. Www.instagram.com. https://www.instagram.com/p/C4P58j5NgbQ/?img_index=1

World Union of Jewish Students. (2024b, March 27). WUJS’ message in response to “Israel Apartheid Week”. Www.instagram.com. https://www.instagram.com/p/C4–FFHNj1k/?img_index=2

World Union of Jewish Students. (2024c, April 3). WUJS, IJL and B’nai B’rith International have partnered to support students facing antisemitism on campus. Www.instagram.com. https://www.instagram.com/p/C5TTTL3tVDw/?img_index=1

 

 

 

Images References

*All images were screenshotted from the WUJS Instagram on 18/04/2024

 

World Union of Jewish Students. (2024a, March 8). BRING BACK OUR GIRLS. Www.instagram.com. https://www.instagram.com/p/C4P58j5NgbQ/?img_index=1

World Union of Jewish Students. (2024b, March 27). WUJS’ message in response to “Israel Apartheid Week”. Www.instagram.com. https://www.instagram.com/p/C4–FFHNj1k/?img_index=2

World Union of Jewish Students. (2024c, April 3). WUJS, IJL and B’nai B’rith International have partnered to support students facing antisemitism on campus. Www.instagram.com. https://www.instagram.com/p/C5TTTL3tVDw/?img_index=1