“The scourge of antisemitism has taken root far beyond the country’s best-known ivory towers. And it’s our responsibility as a Committee to unearth and address antisemitism at these schools, too—especially as antisemitism is at a historic high in the United States. Antisemitism is proliferating at colleges across the country, both private and public, in rural, urban, and suburban settings.”
Witnesses agreed that the rising antisemitism on college campuses is a significant concern and must be condemned.
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY)highlighted specific instances of antisemitism on Haverford’s campus and asked Dr. Wendy Raymond, President of Haverford College, if there have been repercussions or investigations into these instances. Dr. Raymond dodged the question and denied having knowledge of these specific attacks; she was also the only witness who failed to provide specific numbers of students who have been disciplined.
Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL) asked Dr. Robert Manuel, President of DePaul University, about the anti-Israel encampment on its campus that displayed signs with threats against Jewish students. “So you’re saying that this encampment remained in place for 17 days, there was $500,000 worth of property damage, and you were only able to suspend two students?” Rep. Miller asked. Dr. Manuel confirmed that two individuals were arrested and no students were expelled.
The encampment at DePaul was also brought up by Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI), who asked why it took so long to follow their own school policy and remove the encampment. “Our immediate instinct was to work with our students. It did not go very well,” Dr. Manuel replied. Rep. McClain pointed out that he issued a statement instructing students to avoid the area of the encampment. “So, you knew it was dangerous, and you still didn’t remove it [that day],” Rep. McClain said.
In an exchange with Dr. Raymond, Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-CA) inquired whether it was still her belief that the disappearance of posters promoting Jewish events was a result of the wind. Dr. Raymond responded by stating that if the posters were intentionally removed, it would be considered antisemitic. “That’s an odd type of wind that only goes after one particular kind of poster,” Rep. Kiley noted.
Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL)brought attention to faculty at Haverford College who have been outspoken about their antisemitic beliefs. One professor posted online that Zionism was akin to Nazism, fascism, and racism. A graduate student also publicly described the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel as a “beautiful sight to wake up to” and then was offered a teaching position. Dr. Raymond confirmed that both still work on staff but refused to explain why they were not fired.
Democrats often used their time to criticize the Trump administration while ignoring the Biden-Harris administration’s failure to protect Jewish students for the past four years.
Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT) explained the core issue involved the failure of school leadership to take meaningful action: “Leadership has to figure out how to get the rot out within your colleges. It’s great to say all these great things but if you have people that hate our kids, hate each other, and teach that things are never going to change.”
Bottom line: Violence, as well as severe and pervasive harassment, are not protected speech and should not be ignored by college administrators. Republicans are committed to protecting Jewish students on every campus in the nation.
