Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Education announced that it had launched investigations into seven schools over allegations of antisemitism and “Islamophobia.” A press release from the agency showed that Cornell University, Columbia University, Wellesley College, and the University of Pennsylvania were some of the schools involved.
This week, another Ivy League school joined the list.
The U.S. Department of Education opened an investigation into Harvard University over claims of antisemitism, according to the agency’s website.
The investigation into the Ivy League school was opened on Tuesday. A spokesperson from the department confirmed the investigation by the department’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) to NBC News this week:
The investigation stems from a complaint that alleged the Ivy League school discriminated against Jewish and Israeli students when it failed to respond to alleged incidents of harassment last month, according to a letter from the department seen by The Boston Globe.
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Harvard President Claudine Gay addressed antisemitism on campus in a Nov. 9 letter to the community. She said an Antisemitism Advisory Group was helping school leaders examine "how antisemitism manifests within our community" and craft "a plan that addresses its complex history, including acknowledging this specific form of prejudice in Harvard’s past, in a comprehensive manner," the letter stated.
There are also plans to implement training for students, faculty and staff, and increase education around antisemitism and Jewish history.
"As President, I affirm our commitment to protecting all members of our community from harassment and marginalization, and our commitment to meeting antisemitism head-on, with the determination it demands," Gay said. "Let me reiterate what I and other Harvard leaders have said previously: Antisemitism has no place at Harvard."
In October, Townhall revealed the Harvard students who signed a joint statement blaming Israel for Hamas’ barbaric attack and expressing support for Palestine.
“We, the undersigned student organizations, hold the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence,” the letter read.
“The apartheid regime is the only one to blame. Israeli violence has structured every aspect of Palestinian existence for 75 years.”
In addition, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) led their Harvard University alumni colleagues in a letter demanding that the university president condemn the statement.
.@Harvard continues to disgrace itself on the global stage.
— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) October 13, 2023
Antisemitism should be condemned and NEVER defended as “free expression.” Claudine Gay should resign. https://t.co/QpRjaJWzCy
“Following the indiscriminate Hamas terrorist attacks, over thirty student organizations at Harvard University released a letter stating that Israel was ‘entirely responsible for all unfolding violence.’ This should have warranted an immediate unequivocal condemnation from yourself and Harvard University leadership,” the letter stated.
“Instead, you waited two days to release an initial statement that failed to even condemn the terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians, much less address the antisemitism on your campus. Your original statement claims that Harvard is committed to fostering an environment of open dialogue and empathy. However, your delayed response makes it clear you are only committed to intentionally fostering an environment that allows rampant and dangerous antisemitism on Harvard's campus,” it added.