Challenging Antisemitism and Hate: From the Middle East to U.S. Colleges
The George Washington University’s Program on Extremism's Antisemitism Research Initiative International Conference
February 10, 2026
Washington, D.C.
Featured Guests
Hon. Harmeet K. Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Justice
H.E. Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa, Secretary General of the Muslim World League
Hon. Ritchie Torres, U.S. Representative (NY-15)
Hon. Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism
H.E. André Azoulay, Senior Adviser to His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco
Hon. Jason Miyares, 48th Attorney General of Virginia,
among other high level speakers
Welcoming and Opening Remarks by
President Ellen M. Granberg, The George Washington University
The event will be moderated by the Program on Extremism Director Dr. Lorenzo Vidino and the Director of the Antisemitism Research Initiative Dr. Omar Mohammed.
Antisemitism - the world’s oldest hatred - has seen a dramatic resurgence following the events of October 7, 2023. Its present-day expressions increasingly transcend traditional political and ideological boundaries, surfacing in mainstream discourse with an intensity not seen in decades.
On February, 10th 2026, the Antisemitism Research Initiative (ARI) at the George Washington University’s Program on Extremism (PoE) will host a high-level, day-long conference examining two of the most pressing dimensions of contemporary antisemitism. The first half will feature leading scholars and civil society figures from the Middle East, offering insights into regional trends and emerging efforts to confront antisemitism within Arabic-speaking contexts. The second half will shift focus to the United States, where senior government officials, university leaders, and legal experts will assess the rise of antisemitism on college campuses and explore institutional responses, policy frameworks, and future directions.