The New School Student Senate Faces Investigation Over Hillel Ties Protest

On May 1, 2026, the Student Senate at The New School in New York City voted to sever ties with Hillel International, a Jewish campus organization, following a report alleging its involvement in supporting Israel’s military actions in Gaza. The decision sparked immediate backlash, with the university administration launching an investigation into the student leaders, citing potential violations of civil rights laws. The controversy highlights tensions over campus activism, institutional accountability, and the role of student organizations in geopolitical conflicts.

Report Details Alleged Hillel-Israel Military Links

A 38-page report by The New School’s Registered Student Organizations (RSO) Compliance Committee, obtained by Prism, detailed how Hillel at Baruch College—Hillel International’s umbrella organization for New York City schools—facilitated student participation in military programs. The report cited social media posts and program descriptions showing students volunteering at Israeli military bases, including the Hatzerim Air Force Base, which has been linked to airstrikes in Gaza. One post from Hillel at Baruch’s Instagram account described students packaging rations for soldiers, accompanied by a photo from the base.

The report also highlighted the Hillel on Base program, which arranges trips for students to volunteer at Israeli military installations. Participants in the program were automatically enrolled in the Volunteers for Israel (VFI) initiative, run by Sar-El, an Israeli nonprofit affiliated with the Israeli Logistics Corps. The RSO committee concluded that Hillel’s activities constituted material support for the Israeli military’s operations in Gaza, which the United Nations and human rights groups have described as part of a genocide.

University Administration Under Fire for Investigating Student Leaders

Following the Student Senate’s vote, The New School’s administration sent an email to the campus community on May 3, asserting that the Student Senate lacked authority to determine the funding status of RSOs. The email, signed by President Joel Towers, Provost Richard Kessler, and Vice Provost Robert Mack, stated that the Hillel chapter “remains in good standing” and “supports Jewish life at The New School.”

Two days later, on May 5, the administration initiated an investigation into student senators, including chair Ryder Glickman, alleging potential violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Office of Student Equity, Accessibility & Title IX reportedly accused the Student Senate of “targeting fellow students” and “distorting a qualified student organization.” Glickman described the probe as “coordinated with Zionist organizations” and criticized the administration for dismissing the RSO report’s findings.

Pro-Israel Groups Condemn the Student Senate’s Actions

Pro-Israel advocacy groups and elected officials quickly condemned the Student Senate’s decision. Canary Mission, a group known for targeting pro-Palestinian activists, labeled Glickman a “virulent anti-Israel activist” on social media. Pro-Israel publications like *The New York Post* and *The Times of Israel* published articles downplaying the RSO report’s evidence, while U.S. Representatives Dan Goldman and Ritchie Torres accused the students of “antisemitism” and “discrimination against Jewish institutions.” Both lawmakers are heavily supported by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).

Ilya Bratman, executive director of Hillel at Baruch College, wrote to university leadership on May 3, calling the Student Senate’s actions a “direct attack on Jewish students.” He requested a meeting to address the “egregious and deeply troubling actions” but did not respond to requests for comment from Prism.

Broader Implications for Campus Activism

The controversy at The New School mirrors a national debate over the limits of student activism and institutional neutrality. Last week, the Hillel chapter at Middlebury College voted to rebrand as the “Jewish Association at Middlebury” amid pressure from students to distance itself from Hillel International. Similar movements have emerged at other universities, reflecting growing scrutiny of organizations linked to Israel’s military actions.

Glickman, who described the Hillel on Base program as “material support for genocide,” emphasized the ethical responsibility of students to “challenge complicity in atrocities.” He called on the university to investigate Hillel’s ties to the Israeli military rather than punish student leaders for raising concerns.

The New School’s administration has not commented further on the investigation, which remains ongoing. As the case unfolds, it underscores the complex interplay between campus governance, free speech, and the politics of international conflict.