(Mansfield, Connecticut — September 18, 2025)
StandWithUs congratulates Jewish students at the University of Connecticut (UConn) for their pivotal leadership in convincing Senators on the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) to reject Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) referendum questions against Israel on its election ballot. The students convinced the Senators that the questions violated bylaws of neutrality and promoted a biased, hateful agenda. The final vote was 8 in favor, 15 opposed, and 4 abstentions at its September 17 meeting.
StandWithUs congratulates Jewish students at the University of Connecticut (UConn) for their pivotal leadership in convincing Senators on the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) to reject Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) referendum questions against Israel on its election ballot. The students convinced the Senators that the questions violated bylaws of neutrality and promoted a biased, hateful agenda. The final vote was 8 in favor, 15 opposed, and 4 abstentions at its September 17 meeting.
UConn StandWithUs Emerson Fellow Sophie Rifkin who is also a Senator, stated, “It’s so important to stand up for what you believe in, even if you feel outnumbered or overpowered. At the USG meeting, students from all grades and all backgrounds, stood up for the Jewish community at UConn, setting a precedent across college campuses. Antisemitism is rampant, and it cannot be allowed to thrive on colleges. Speaking out against it, standing up for ourselves despite fear of backlash, is how we make that change.”
The September 17 vote follows a spring 2024 USG meeting, where the referendum was originally proposed and then sent to a committee comprised of representatives from multiple Jewish and Muslim student groups and 10 unaffiliated senators, specifically created to reword this legislation. The committee failed to do so, and it was dissolved in early September. The resolution was presented with the same wording to the USG September 17.
“Proponents of BDS have long proposed biased referenda like these. The BDS strategy involves using any platform to spread anti-Israel messages and turn public opinion against the only Jewish state,” said Roz Rothstein, CEO of StandWithUs. “We are tremendously proud of students at UConn for their leadership, determination and strength in highlighting the campaign’s hypocrisy, lies, and hate.”
This victory is an example of just one success in opposing a broader movement across college campuses to use divestment propaganda as a tool to undermine Israel’s legitimacy. The BDS campaign, which according to the New York Times and other reports, has ties to terrorist organizations, fuels hatred and destroys opportunities to promote genuine dialogue or peace. Learn more about the BDS campaign: https://standwithus.com/library/guides/bds-the-boycott-divestment-sanctions-campaign/
Rothstein continued, “As student governments consider similar proposals, StandWithUs calls on students to model the strength shown by those at UConn, to reject the divisive and hateful propaganda of BDS and to stand firm in advocating for their convictions. StandWithUs will always be there to help guide the students through the process.”
