US colleges failed to hold students accountable for antisemitic harassment, House committee says

A Republican-led investigation has criticized college administrators for failing to adequately address antisemitic behavior on campuses following Hamas' attack on Israel. The extensive report indicates that college officials made considerable concessions to pro-Palestinian groups while not offering sufficient support to Jewish students.

Chairwoman Virginia Foxx highlighted the bravery of Jewish students, labeling university leadership as having failed in their duty. The investigation, which reviewed thousands of documents from various colleges, revealed troubling actions, such as Northwestern University's consideration of hiring an 'anti-Zionist' rabbi and Harvard University's modification of language in a public statement about Hamas.

Columbia University was also scrutinized for offering greater concessions to encampment organizers than publicly acknowledged, despite asserting strong opposition to antisemitism. University spokespersons reiterated their institutions' commitments to inclusivity and safety for all students, reaffirming efforts to support Jewish communities.

However, the report also criticized university leaders for treating congressional oversight as a public relations issue. Text messages mentioned in the report even suggested political guidance to downplay headaches, while some education leaders allegedly sought unfavorable media coverage against certain politicians.

Critics argue that the report aims to curb academic freedom under the guise of tackling antisemitism. This investigation follows the Antisemitism Awareness Act, passed to combat antisemitism in academic settings, drawing mixed reactions on its potential impact on free speech.