Jewish leaders and lawmakers from both parties are accusing President Joe Biden’s administration of taking a lax approach toward enforcing civil rights laws amid the surge of antisemitic incidents on college campuses. They point to a backlog of complaints filed with the Education Department that remain unresolved, allowing school administrators to neglect taking necessary actions to protect Jewish students. The tumult on campuses is connected to protests relating to the Israel-Hamas war, leading to a particularly hostile environment for Jewish students, as seen at Columbia University in New York. Despite the lack of data on antisemitic incidents at the school, Jewish leaders are raising concerns about the delayed investigations into these incidents and the lack of resources allocated.
The situation is challenging for President Biden as he navigates rebuilding the voting coalition from the 2020 election. Many students protesting the war in Gaza are unhappy with him for not bringing about a cease-fire, while Jewish students and their defenders are disappointed with the administration’s handling of antisemitic harassment on campus. The complexity of these issues is further complicated by the fact that there are Jewish Americans who oppose Israel’s conduct of the war and are advocating for a cease-fire and an end to U.S. military aid to Israel. The current atmosphere presents a dilemma for Biden, as any position he takes is likely to alienate someone.
Following Hamas’ attack on Israel and the ensuing conflict, there was a spike in antisemitic incidents across the country, including on college campuses. The Education Department’s civil rights office received a significant number of complaints and opened investigations into cases of discrimination against members of ethno-religious groups. However, many of these investigations have remained unresolved for extended periods, leading to calls for swifter action to hold schools accountable. Jewish student organizations, such as the Kraft Center for Jewish Student Life, are concerned about the lack of progress in addressing these incidents.
President Biden has condemned antisemitism and has released a national strategy to counter it, emphasizing that such hate has no place in the country. The Education Department has reminded schools of their legal obligation to prevent discrimination against all students, regardless of their background. Despite these efforts, lawmakers and Jewish rights groups feel that more proactive measures need to be taken to address the rise in antisemitic incidents and protect Jewish students on campus. House Speaker Mike Johnson, during a visit to Columbia University, expressed shock at the antisemitic propaganda on campus and vowed to relay the situation to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona.
The situation on college campuses has become fraught with tension as pro-Palestinian protests spread and antisemitic incidents escalate. Concerns are raised about the safety of Jewish students and the need for stronger actions to counter discrimination and hate speech. Some students report feeling threatened and intimidated on campus, with instances of antisemitic imagery and chants directed at them. Lawmakers like Johnson are advocating for a stronger response from the Education Department and are urging action to address the growing antisemitism on college campuses. The challenge remains in effectively combating hate speech and discrimination while protecting the civil rights of all students.
