Divestment Referendum Update

Divestment Referendum Update
April 21, 2025

Dear Maryland Hillel Community, 

We have all been anxiously awaiting the results of the University of Maryland Student Government Association’s divestment referendum that was on the ballot, and I’m writing to share the referendum passed. Maryland Hillel is deeply disappointed, yet incredibly proud of the efforts by our pro-Israel students who worked extremely hard to oppose this measure. 

On its surface, the referendum targeted foreign human rights violations, but the referendum was truly intended to normalize extreme hatred of Israel and target Jewish students and organizations. In more than a decade of anti-Israel student government campaigns, not one single U.S. university has ever altered their investment strategy, ended contracts with Israeli vendors, or canceled academic partnerships with universities in Israel. BDS campaigns are not about shaping university policy—they are about normalizing antisemitism and introducing hate and division on campus. Anti-Israel student government referendums such as this ensure that no matter who wins the vote, everyone on campus loses. 

 This referendum marginalizes Jewish students who have been under increasing threat from sharply rising antisemitism, seeks to limit their ability to express their full identities, and divides campus communities. Maryland Hillel vehemently opposes the referendum, which is not conducive to fostering the dialogue necessary to bring peace and goes against our community’s values 

Our students worked tirelessly on bringing together the community, spending countless hours educating their peers on the harms of divestment from Israel. They deserve a debt of gratitude. We are proud of the sophistication and dignity with which they confronted this anti-Israel effort. 

Maryland Hillel deeply appreciates the support of all those who have reached out to offer support. We have created a fund to address antisemitism on campus, which will support educational efforts and initiatives aimed at raising awareness of antisemitism and the impact of BDS campaigns.  

While we are disappointed in this decision, we will not allow this to keep us from the important work we do. We are committed to engaging the Jewish and pro-Israel communities on campus, including: 

• Bringing rich and compelling Israel educational content to campus 

• Cultivating and supporting student leaders who have a personal affinity for Israel 

• Building coalitions with non-Jewish students and educating them about the complexities of the Middle East 

• Facilitating personal Israel experiences for as many students as possible 

We encourage students to join us for Israel Weeks programming April 20 – May 12 and all of our other upcoming events to find comfort in being a part of such a vibrant and supportive community on campus. 

Chag Sameach, 

Ari Israel
Executive Director