USA
Investigation launched into ‘Jew-hatred’ at American universities
The Trump administration has pushed for a crackdown on campus antisemitism, particularly around pro-Palestine protests
February 4, 2025 15:35
By, Jewish News Syndicate
2 min read
The Trump administration has pushed for a crackdown on campus antisemitism, particularly around pro-Palestine protests
February 4, 2025 15:35ByJC Reporter, Jewish News Syndicate
The US Department of Education has opened five investigations into allegations of ‘Jew-hatred’ on universtiy campuses across the country.
The probes cover some of the most prominent institutions in the country – Columbia University, Northwestern University, Portland State University, the University of California, Berkeley and the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.
The investigations have been instigated under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, colour or national origin in any programme or organisation that receives federal funding.
They were announced shortly after US President Donald Trump told the federal government to respond “vigorously” to instances of alleged antisemitism in education. In particular, he urged adminstrators to crack down on pro-Palestine protests on campuses if they include antisemitic slogans or signs.
“Too many universities have tolerated widespread antisemitic harassment and the illegal encampments that paralysed campus life last year, driving Jewish life and religious expression underground,” stated Craig Trainor, acting Assistant Secretary of Education for Civil Rights.
“The Biden Administration’s toothless resolution agreements did shamefully little to hold those institutions accountable,” Trainor said.
“Today, the department is putting universities, colleges and K-12 schools on notice: this administration will not tolerate continued institutional indifference to the wellbeing of Jewish students on American campuses, nor will it stand by idly if universities fail to combat Jew-hatred and the unlawful harassment and violence it animates.”
Michigan representative Tim Walberg, chair of the House Education and Workforce Committee, said: “For the past two years, our committee has uncovered an appalling amount of antisemitism taking place on college campuses.
“We’ve also heard heartbreaking testimony from Jewish college students who were excited to attend their dream university only to face threats and harassment from their own classmates and teachers.
“I’m glad that we finally have an administration who is taking action to protect Jewish students and hold schools like Columbia, Northwestern, and UC Berkeley accountable for their failures.”
Columbia responded to the news of the investigation on Monday saying that its interim president Katrina Armstrong had “taken decisive actions to address issues of antisemitism” since she assumed her role in August.
“We are resolute that calling for, promoting or glorifying violence or terror has no place at our university,” the university stated. “We look forward to ongoing work with the new federal administration to combat antisemitism and ensure the safety and wellbeing of our students, faculty and staff.”
As of Monday evening, none of the other universities had issued a response to the Department of Education probe.
The move has also been met with warm support from civil rights and Jewish campaigners.
Kenneth L. Marcus, founder and chairman of the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, said the investigation was “exactly the right step to be taking and the right time to be taking it.”
“The administration is sending a clear message to the higher education community that the US Department of Education is prioritising the current antisemitism crisis,” stated Marcus.
“Rather than sitting back and waiting for complaints to pile up, federal investigators are finally doing their jobs: identifying colleges that need to be investigated and taking firm, public measures where needed. The cavalry has arrived,” he added.
“The Brandeis Center has been urging this approach since October 7 and we were repeatedly disappointed that the prior administration failed to accept our recommendation.”
“This announcement is a win for anyone who cares about civil rights,” he added. “The Department of Education is showing us today that it can, and will, build on the White House’s bold executive orders with enforcement and action around the country.”