High Country Times

Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg and Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee Chairman Burgess Owens have reached out to three universities in anticipation of a congressional hearing on antisemitism scheduled for May 7. Letters were issued to California Polytechnic State University (San Luis Obispo), DePaul University, and Haverford College, expressing concerns about rising antisemitism incidents on campuses.

Walberg and Owens, in their letter to California Polytechnic State University (San Luis Obispo), highlighted the increase in antisemitic activities following the October 7, 2023, Hamas terror attack against Israel. They noted, "As you know, the Committee continues to investigate and gather information about the rise of antisemitism on college campuses, including Cal Poly, which has surged in the wake of the October 7, 2023, Hamas terror attack against Israel. In the month after the attack, antisemitic incidents in the United States increased 388 percent. America’s colleges and universities have been a major source in this rise in antisemitism. In particular, the Committee has found that '[i]n the aftermath of that horrific event, American institutions of higher education were upended by an epidemic of hate, violence, and harassment targeting Jewish students.'"

Regarding DePaul University, the letter referred to the Anti-Defamation League's annual Campus Antisemitism Report Card, mentioning several hostile events, including a violent assault on two Jewish students. Walberg and Owens wrote, "Just last month, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) published its second annual Campus Antisemitism Report Card… DePaul University’s Report Card notes that a number of hostile antisemitic events have occurred on campus, including but not limited to a physical attack against two Jewish students who were showing support for Israel, and an anti-Israel encampment that was found to contain knives, a pellet gun, and other weapons and where numerous antisemitic incidents occurred. In regards to the violent attack, one of the students was allegedly diagnosed with a wrist fracture requiring surgery, and the other suffered a concussion as well as contusions and bruising… The students’ attorney has publicly stated that 'DePaul University has done nothing to put a stop to this harassment, nor have they made any genuine effort since the attack to ensure the safety of their Jewish students moving forward.'"

In their communication to Haverford College, the members cited college President Raymond's email acknowledging campus concerns about antisemitism, noting incidents such as the removal of Chabad House flyers and an event that evoked historical antisemitic tropes. The letter stated, "President Raymond recently emailed the entire Haverford community to acknowledge that there was 'growing concern about antisemitism on [Haverford’s] campus,' that 'flyers inviting the community to Chabad House . . . were displaced or removed,' and that one campus event 'evoked centuries-old pernicious tropes related to blood libel.' In fact, the Committee has received direct reports of antisemitism regarding another campus event… Whistleblowers who observed the event have informed the Committee that it promoted a culture of antisemitic discrimination."

These letters are a precursor to discussions aimed at addressing antisemitism on U.S. college campuses.