Antisemitism investigation at U of M, other schools by Education Department
The Brief
The Education Department launched an antisemitism investigation at five universities, including the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities. The probe comes months after pro-Palestinian protests on campus led to several arrests.
The university said it plans to cooperate with the investigation.
The Education Department on Monday announced it had launched an investigation into "widespread antisemitic harassment" at five universities, including the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The Trump administration is investigating antisemitism claims at five universities, including the University of Minnesota.
The backstory
The investigation comes months after pro-Palestinian protests on campus led to several arrests.
Campus unrest spread throughout the country after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack in Israel left 1,200 people dead, including many civilians. The militant group Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack, which ignited the Israel-Hamas war.
What they're saying
While Jewish organizations welcome the investigation, others are skeptical and see it as an attack on pro-Palestinian viewpoints.
"Anti-Zionist and or antisemitic activities lies with the faculty," said Steve Hunegs, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas. "That will be a challenge to face."
"Our campus is flooded with pro-Hamas propaganda and rhetoric that's antisemitic," said Stephanie Iskhakov, assistant executive director of Chabad University of Minnesota. "Pro-Hamas propaganda and rhetoric is antisemitic. Calling for the destruction of the land of Israel is antisemitic. Our campus has no shortage of either of those things."
But some see the investigation as a method of quieting pro-Palestinian voices on campus.
"I think it's quite ridiculous, to be honest," said Kyle Feldhake, a graduate student who was arrested during demonstrations in October. "If there are legitimate concerns about antisemitism – if they're transparent about that – you know, great. If they're going to use it to masquerade pro-Palestinian repression – that's really horrific."
Other universities involved
The other universities under investigation are: Columbia University, Northwestern University, Portland State University and the University of California, Berkeley.
What's next
The Justice Department on Monday announced it had created a task force to combat antisemitism, and will focus first on rooting it out of colleges and universities.
Dig deeper
In a statement, the University of Minnesota said, in part: "We are confident in our approach to combating hate and bias on our campus and will fully cooperate with this investigation. The university continues to stand firmly against antisemitism."
The Source
Education Department; Justice Department; Steve Hunegs; Stephanie Iskhakov; Kyle Feldhake
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