The U.S. Department of Justice has announced that its Federal Task Force to Combat Antisemitism will visit 10 university campuses to investigate allegations of antisemitic incidents and assess the adequacy of institutional responses. This initiative follows a surge in reported antisemitic activities on campuses after the Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel on October 7, 2023.
The targeted institutions include Columbia University, George Washington University, Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, New York University, Northwestern University, the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), the University of California at Berkeley, the University of Minnesota, and the University of Southern California (USC). The task force plans to engage with university leadership, affected students and staff, local law enforcement, and community members to gather comprehensive information on each incident.
Leo Terrell, Senior Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights and a leading member of the task force, emphasized the administration’s commitment to addressing antisemitism, particularly in educational settings. He stated, “The task force’s mandate is to bring the full force of the federal government to bear in our effort to eradicate antisemitism, particularly in schools. These visits are just one of many steps this Administration is taking to deliver on that commitment.”
The task force’s formation aligns with President Donald Trump’s Executive Order on Additional Measures to Combat Antisemitism, issued earlier this year. The executive order directs federal agencies to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism and to ensure rigorous enforcement of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in programs receiving federal assistance.
The universities under investigation have acknowledged the forthcoming visits and expressed their willingness to cooperate. A spokesperson for the University of Minnesota stated, “We are confident in our approach to combating hate and bias on our campus and we will always fully cooperate with any review related to these topics. The University continues to stand firmly against antisemitism.”
This initiative underscores the federal government’s intensified efforts to address and mitigate antisemitism within educational institutions, ensuring that campuses remain safe and inclusive environments for all students.