Colleges Settle Antisemitism Cases Amid Growing Republican Criticism of ‘Weak’ Agreements

Antisemitism

In recent weeks, many U.S. colleges have reached settlements with federal civil rights investigators regarding allegations of antisemitism on their campuses, just before President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration. These settlements come as the issue of antisemitic incidents at schools intensifies, especially in light of protests over the Gaza conflict.

By agreeing to these settlements, schools can resolve the complaints as long as they follow the terms set out, such as implementing staff training, updating policies, and reviewing past cases. However, several high-profile universities like Columbia and Cornell still have unresolved investigations, which may result in stricter penalties once Trump takes office. Trump has previously stated that schools failing to meet expectations on addressing antisemitism could lose federal funding.

In the past two years, at least eight states, including Washington, California, and Maryland, have reached settlements regarding antisemitism on campuses. These agreements have been criticized by Republicans in Congress, who argue that the Biden administration has not imposed enough accountability on colleges. They claim these deals are “toothless” and allow schools to avoid facing real consequences for allowing antisemitism.

Rep. Tim Walberg, chair of the House Education and Workforce Committee, expressed dissatisfaction, stating that the settlements do not hold colleges adequately accountable. He urged the Trump administration to review the agreements and take action to ensure meaningful penalties.

Despite these concerns, the Department of Education continues to oversee investigations into over 100 U.S. colleges and school districts, including prestigious institutions such as Harvard and Yale, for their handling of antisemitic or Islamophobic incidents, especially following the October 7 Hamas attacks.

Federal investigations are based on complaints that colleges have violated Title VI, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin at institutions receiving federal funding. The goal is to protect students and faculty from harassment and discrimination.

In some cases, university presidents have been called to testify before Congress due to their handling of pro-Palestinian protests, leading to significant resignations at prominent universities.

While most of these civil rights investigations conclude with voluntary agreements, those unable to reach a settlement may face referrals to the Justice Department or even risk losing federal funding—a consequence that, though rare, could have severe implications for universities.

As the Republican-controlled Congress pushes for new legislation to combat antisemitism on campuses, there is a growing call to cut federal funding for schools that support divestment from Israel. The House Speaker’s recent report urges more aggressive enforcement of civil rights laws and accountability for universities that fail to curb antisemitic behavior.

Source: AP News

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