US Justice Department to investigate antisemitism at University of California

The U.S. Department of Justice has launched an investigation into the University of California (UC) system over allegations of anti-Semitism. The focus of the investigation is whether the UC system has permitted "a hostile anti-Semitic work environment to exist on its campuses," thereby discriminating against Jewish professors, staff, and other employees. This inquiry underscores the federal government's commitment to ensuring equal opportunity and protection from discrimination for all individuals within academic institutions.

This action was announced on Wednesday by the newly formed "Federal Task Force on Combating Anti-Semitism." The task force was established in February of this year, following President Trump's January executive order, "Combating Anti-Semitism with Additional Measures." Last week, the task force announced it would visit ten university campuses that have experienced anti-Semitic incidents since October 2023, including three UC campuses: UCLA, UC Berkeley, and the University of Southern California. These visits aim to assess the extent of anti-Semitism and develop strategies for addressing it effectively.

The University of California is the world's largest public research university system, with ten campuses, including UC Berkeley, which has been the site of numerous protest movements, including the origin of the American "Free Speech Movement." UC spokesperson Stett Holbrook told Middle East Eye on Wednesday: "We recently received notification of the Department of Justice's decision to initiate a civil rights investigation of the UC system. We want to be clear: UC is unwavering in its commitment to combating anti-Semitism and protecting the civil rights of everyone. We will continue to take concrete steps to foster an environment free from harassment and discrimination for everyone in the university community." The university's response highlights its dedication to maintaining a safe and inclusive environment for all members of its community.

Former Fox News commentator and UCLA alumnus Leo Terrell, who leads the task force, said in a press release that "anti-Semitic incidents have erupted at top institutions of higher education, including my alma mater, UCLA." Attorney General Pamela Bondi also stated in a press release that "the Department of Justice will always defend Jewish Americans, protect civil rights, and use our resources to eliminate institutional anti-Semitism from our nation's universities." These statements emphasize the seriousness with which the Department of Justice is addressing the issue of anti-Semitism on college campuses.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, and religion. Under Title VII, the U.S. Department of Justice has the authority to initiate investigations against state and local government employers if it has reason to believe that a "pattern or practice" of employment discrimination exists. Other universities the task force will be investigating include George Washington University, Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, New York University, Northwestern University, the University of Minnesota, and Columbia University. This broad investigation demonstrates a comprehensive effort to address potential discrimination across various institutions.

Protests against Israel's war in Gaza swept across university campuses shortly after the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023. Both the Biden and Trump administrations have sought to characterize anti-Israel and anti-Zionist protests as "anti-Semitism," leading to congressional hearings, questioning of university administrators, and forceful suppression of campus protests by law enforcement. Facing political backlash, universities such as NYU and Harvard have adopted the controversial IHRA definition of anti-Semitism in response to federal scrutiny. These actions reflect the complex interplay between political pressure, academic freedom, and concerns about discrimination.

This Monday, the federal task force announced it is considering suspending over $51.4 million in federal contracts with Columbia University due to alleged anti-Semitism on campus. The task force stated it will also conduct a full review of Columbia University's over $5 billion in federal grant commitments to ensure the university is complying with federal regulations, including its civil rights obligations. Since taking office, U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered the suspension of federal grants and loans, but this move has been blocked by judges. The Associated Press reported in February that Trump's directive has caused universities across the country to "scramble to determine how the funding freeze would affect their research projects, students and faculty." This highlights the significant financial implications and potential disruptions that can result from federal investigations and funding suspensions.