Fri Mar 14 11:50:00 UTC 2025: **Documentary Exposes Rise in Antisemitism on Elite College Campuses After Hamas Attack**
NEW YORK – A new documentary, “October 8,” exposes a disturbing surge in antisemitism on prominent U.S. college campuses following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack in Israel. Filmmaker Wendy Sachs, inspired by the wave of anti-Israel sentiment she witnessed on campuses, spent months interviewing students, celebrities, and politicians to uncover the underlying causes.
The film reveals a coordinated campaign to delegitimize Israel and stigmatize its supporters, including recordings of senior Hamas leaders in America strategizing on how to influence U.S. media and universities. Sachs highlights the silence from major organizations like the UN, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International regarding Hamas atrocities, contrasting it with their accusations against Israel. The film also features accounts from Jewish students who faced harassment, threats, and unsafe conditions on campuses, including being forced to shelter in libraries and miss exams due to safety concerns.
Actress Debra Messing and Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) are among those interviewed, expressing their shock and dismay at the situation. Messing describes feeling “betrayed by Hollywood” for its lack of response. The film highlights the challenges Sachs faced in getting the documentary distributed, noting rejections from major film festivals.
“October 8” is in theaters now and aims to serve as an educational tool to combat antisemitism. Sachs argues that the issue goes beyond the Jewish community and Israel, representing a broader conflict between extremism and democracy.
First Piper 