US Education Secretary Condemns Antisemitism Amid Campus Protests

US Education Secretary Miguel Cardona has sent a letter to college and university presidents condemning "abhorrent" antisemitic incidents on campuses amid a surge in pro-Palestinian protests across the country. The letter, sent on Friday, expresses concern over the sharp rise in reports of antisemitism targeting Jewish students on some college campuses.

Why this matters: The rise of antisemitic incidents on college campuses has broader implications for social cohesion and tolerance in the US. If left unchecked, it could lead to a normalization of hate crimes and discrimination, undermining the country's values of diversity and inclusion.

Cardona's letter highlights reports of Jewish students being physically assaulted or harassed, antisemitic statements, verbal abuse, and swastikas found on dorm room doors. "As the 2023-24 school year comes to a close, I remain incredibly concerned by the reports of antisemitic hate directed at students on some campuses," Cardona said in the letter.

The Department of Education has opened 141 investigations into Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. Cardona assured that the reports are taken "very seriously" and will be investigated "aggressively."

The protests, which have spread across the nation's colleges and universities, have resulted in over 2,000 arrests since April 18. Top Republicans, including former President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson, have criticized President Biden for not addressing the issue sooner.

President Biden addressed the issue on Thursday, saying, "Order must prevail... Vandalism, trespassing, breaking windows, shutting down campuses, forcing the cancelation of classes and graduation – none of this is a peaceful protest." The president's remarks mark an increasingly public-facing messaging effort from the administration on the protests.

Cardona is expected to meet with a group of Jewish leaders on Friday, his first such meeting since October 30, to discuss the issue. The leaders plan to press him to commit to stripping federal funding from colleges and universities that allow unlawful encampments and harassment of Jewish students.

The campus demonstrations originated after the October 7 surprise attack by Hamas on Israel, which killed 1,200 people and took 253 hostage. Israeli forces retaliated with airstrikes on Gaza, followed by a ground assault that has killed over 34,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.

As the protests continue, colleges are taking measures to ensure commencement ceremonies go off without a hitch this weekend, including hiring extra security and designating protest zones. The Department of Education is offering resources, training, and technical assistance to help colleges address the issue, including guides from the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Justice.

Key Takeaways

• US Education Secretary Miguel Cardona condemns "abhorrent" antisemitic incidents on college campuses.
• 141 investigations into Title VI of the Civil Rights Act have been opened to address discrimination.
• Over 2,000 arrests have been made since April 18 amid pro-Palestinian protests on campuses.
• President Biden calls for order, condemning vandalism and harassment of Jewish students.
• Colleges are taking measures to ensure safe commencement ceremonies, with extra security and protest zones.