A comprehensive report released by the U.S. House of Representatives reveals an alarming rise in antisemitism across the nation and details failures by universities and federal agencies to address the issue adequately. The report was developed by multiple House committees in response to increasing incidents of antisemitism following Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
The House Antisemitism Staff Report, coordinated by Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and supported by several key committees, provides extensive findings on harassment, intimidation, and hostile environments targeting Jewish Americans, particularly on college campuses.
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The report criticizes universities for failing to combat antisemitism and potentially violating federal laws such as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.
Columbia University: The report highlighted Columbia’s failure to address a hostile environment, with its then-President Minouche Shafik acknowledging Title VI violations in April 2024. The university faced backlash for its handling of campus protests, which included encampments deemed unsafe for Jewish students.
Harvard University and UCLA: Similar issues were reported at Harvard and UCLA, where antisemitic actions went unpunished or were met with disparate disciplinary measures, contributing to hostile environments.
The Committee on Education and the Workforce issued subpoenas to universities that failed to respond to document requests, gathering nearly 500,000 pages of evidence.
The report also criticized federal agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Veterans Affairs, for inadequate oversight of institutions receiving federal funding.
Additionally, the Committee on Judiciary examined immigration policies, raising concerns about foreign nationals on student visas participating in protests that endorsed terrorist activities or organizations.
The report includes several recommendations:
- Universities should use their endowments to enhance security for Jewish students and ensure equal treatment for all students.
- Federal agencies, particularly HHS, must improve oversight of grant recipients.
- Educational institutions must comply with federal laws like Title VI and the Clery Act to report and address religiously motivated crimes.
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Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating, “Nearly every committee here has a role to play in stopping the madness that has ensued.”
Republicans, including Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, have pushed for stricter measures, including visa revocations for foreign nationals supporting antisemitic or terrorist activities.
The report underscores a growing bipartisan effort to address antisemitism and hold institutions accountable, with further actions expected in the upcoming 119th Congress.
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