Pressure mounts on Biden to address rise in antisemitic incidents on college campuses

The surge of antisemitic incidents on college campuses has sparked outrage among Jewish leaders and lawmakers who are accusing President Joe Biden’s administration of not taking a strong enough stance to protect Jewish students. With a backlog of complaints filed with the Education Department, concerns are growing that school administrators are not taking the necessary actions to address the harassment faced by Jewish students.

Rep. Josh Gottheimer, a Democrat from New Jersey, penned a letter to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona expressing his dismay over the slow pace of investigations into antisemitism on college campuses. At Columbia University in New York, the rise in antisemitic incidents has created a hostile environment for Jewish students, according to Gottheimer.

The tension on college campuses has put Biden in a difficult position as he tries to navigate the fallout from the Israel-Hamas war. While some students are protesting the war and demanding a cease-fire, others are calling for more action to combat antisemitic harassment on campus.

The Education Department’s civil rights office has seen a significant increase in complaints related to discrimination against ethno-religious groups since the start of the war. However, many of these investigations remain unresolved, leaving Jewish and pro-Israel students feeling vulnerable and unprotected.

As the situation continues to escalate, calls for swift action from the Biden administration are growing louder. Jewish rights groups and lawmakers are urging the Department of Education to take a more proactive approach in addressing antisemitism on college campuses to ensure the safety and well-being of all students.