The U.S. Department of Education has launched investigations into allegations of antisemitism at five major universities, including Northwestern University in Evanston.
The probe comes after reports of “widespread antisemitic harassment,” particularly following the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas in Israel. The Department of Education is also investigating Columbia University, Portland State University, the University of California at Berkeley, and the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.
In addition to these investigations, the Republican-controlled House Committee on Education and Workforce has raised concerns about the failure of university leaders to protect Jewish students.
The committee criticized university administrators for making “astounding concessions” to protesters on campuses, particularly those calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and a halt to U.S. military aid to Israel.
“Too many universities have tolerated widespread antisemitic harassment and the illegal encampments that paralyzed campus life last year, driving Jewish life and religious expression underground. The Biden Administration’s toothless resolution agreements did shamefully little to hold those institutions accountable,” said Craig Trainor, acting assistant secretary for civil rights, in a statement.
“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.”
At Northwestern, protests and encampments were set up by students in solidarity with Gaza. University administrators negotiated with protesters, leading to backlash. The committee highlighted a specific case where Northwestern was accused of entertaining demands to hire an “anti-Zionist” rabbi and remove Sabra Hummus from campus cafeterias.
Northwestern University has since opened its own investigation into antisemitism on campus, and several students have filed lawsuits against the institution, claiming it failed to uphold its own rules in response to these incidents.
