High Country Times

WASHINGTON – Today, Workforce Protections Subcommittee Chairman Kevin Kiley (R-CA) delivered the following statement, as prepared for delivery, at a hearing titled "Combating Workplace Antisemitism in Postsecondary Education: Protecting Employees from Discrimination":

"Since the evil, horrifying October 7 attack by Hamas terrorists on Israeli men, women, and children, America has witnessed a deeply disturbing rise in antisemitism. Following the attacks, the Anti-Defamation League reported a 388 percent rise in antisemitic incidents.

"This has continued in the weeks and months since, across different regions of the country and different facets of society—as the heinous events outside a Los Angeles synagogue this last week made painfully clear. Yet it is in one particular setting—at colleges and universities—where the problem has been most troubling.

"We have seen institutions of higher learning gripped by one of the world’s most ancient and retrograde prejudices. We have seen scenes that shock the conscience. We have heard from students who have lived through an absolute nightmare, who’ve been targeted, attacked, denied access to campus or buildings—all because of their heritage. We have seen university leaders stand by as this horror played out on their campuses, even in some cases catering to those who promote antisemitism and celebrate terrorism.

"In response, the House Education and the Workforce Committee, under the leadership of Chairwoman Foxx, has worked to expose and combat this disgraceful reality. We are using every available tool to protect the safety and civil rights of students—to compel our universities to take immediate action and undertake systematic reform.

"Today, the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections will examine another dimension of this crisis: employment-based discrimination in higher education. We will hear about the experience of Jewish faculty and staff at universities that have allowed illegal harassment and discrimination to go unchecked.

"Universities are often a state’s largest employer. In my home state, the University of California system has nearly 200,000 employees, making it the single largest state-based employer in the United States.

"I take great pride in the University of California system and its world-class schools. While many services in our government are substandard, and while our universities have had their challenges, the UC, CSU, and community college systems have remained tremendous assets to our state.

"However, the events that we have witnessed on certain campuses—in California and across the United States—could not be more antithetical to the values of our state and country.

"The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is a particularly troubling case. Three students have filed a lawsuit against UCLA for violating their rights by allowing the 'Jew Exclusion Zone' encampment and related antisemitic harassment. Chancellor Gene Block testified before this Committee last month regarding this encampment which was eventually broken up but showed an inability to take decisive action and protect Jewish students' or employees' rights. The Chancellor refused to answer questions about whether students had been suspended or faculty disciplined."

On May 6 at UCSD (University of California San Diego), an illegal encampment eventually led to arresting 64 individuals including 40 students. Professor Brian Keating will testify about how this encampment was anything but peaceful aimed at fomenting hate against Jewish people. He will share testimonials from other university employees; one said she doesn’t "know how much longer I can do this." She added: "I can’t work at UCSD; I can barely live here—and I have learned brutally where my life ranks for those around me."

At Mount San Antonio College in Walnut California Geography Professor Dafna Golden endured vile harassment from fellow professors including being called a "violent Zionist" falsely accused as an Israeli Defense Forces soldier despite it being untrue. She will testify today about her hostile experiences as a professor under such conditions.

"I applaud Professor Golden for coming forward with her story," Kiley said "and I look forward to hearing all esteemed witnesses’ testimonies." He emphasized inadequate responses only underscore urgent needs stronger protections accountability insights invaluable achieving goals Title VII Civil Rights Act protects employees antisemitic discrimination important purpose today’s hearing examining extent universities failing fulfill legal obligations corrective measures needed uphold law."

Kiley concluded: "College may be out summer mostly but rise antisemitism remains grave risk students faculty American higher education alarming state affairs cannot tolerated assuredly protecting Jewish Americans’ rights upholding Title VII resolute commitment fighting antisemitism all forms discrimination."

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