A bipartisan group of lawmakers are preparing to grill university presidents over their handling of campus antisemitism that has swept the nation's colleges. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., has condemned the "moral failure of Harvard's leadership" for supporting President Claudine Gay despite her testimony before Congress that calls for the genocide of Jews on campus needed 'context.'
A congressional hearing on Thursday will investigate the rampant antisemitism on college campuses, as lawmakers demand accountability from university leaders and seek to stem the tide of hate speech and violence against Jewish students.
The hearing, titled "Calling for Accountability: Stopping Antisemitic College Chaos," will begin Thursday morning, when Northwestern President Michael Schill, UCLA Chancellor Gene Block, and Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway will testify before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce regarding their "dereliction of" duty to Jewish students, according to the committee’s press release.
Since last month, dozens of universities across the country have seen protests against Israel, with some campuses hosting large encampments where students have demanded the schools cut financial ties with Israel and support Palestinian rights. The protests have been associated with groups tied to far-left organizations backed by dark money and liberal megadonor George Soros, according to Fox News Digital's previous reporting.
Rutgers and Northwestern leaders have both come under fire from the Jewish community for striking deals with campus agitators to quell their protests and encampments. Critics have argued that these agreements capitulate to the demands of a small but vocal group of students who are intimidating Jewish students and creating a hostile environment on campus.
The hearing will also examine the controversial testimony given by Harvard President Claudine Gay before Congress in December 2023. Gay testified that calls for the genocide of Jews on campus would violate the school's code of conduct depending on the "context." This response sparked outrage from Jewish communities, alumni, and students, and Gay subsequently resigned from her position.
The issue of antisemitism on college campuses has become increasingly politicized, with Republican lawmakers accusing Democratic leaders of ignoring or downplaying the problem. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., has been a vocal critic of Harvard's handling of the issue, accusing the university of "a moral failure."
Critics of Rutgers, UCLA, and Northwestern presidents have called for their resignations over their perceived mishandling of the antisemitic protests. Jewish students and organizations have also expressed disappointment in the universities' responses, arguing that they have failed to protect Jewish students from harassment and intimidation.
Lawmakers are expected to press the university presidents on what steps they are taking to ensure the safety of Jewish students and to prevent future antisemitic incidents. They will also likely question them about the role of outside groups in funding and organizing the protests.
The hearing is part of a broader effort by congressional Republicans to hold universities accountable for their handling of antisemitism. The House Committee on Education and the Workforce has conducted several hearings on the issue in recent months, and Republican lawmakers have introduced legislation to address campus antisemitism.
Despite the partisan divide, there is bipartisan concern about the rise of antisemitism on college campuses. Democratic lawmakers have also condemned the protests and called for universities to take action to protect Jewish students.
