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In response to the controversial testimonies of university presidents on handling antisemitism, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and the Workforce has initiated an investigation into Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The committee expressed dissatisfaction with the leaders’ responses during a hearing on rising antisemitism following the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas.
During the five-hour hearing, representatives, led by Elise Stefanik, questioned the presidents of Harvard, Penn, and MIT about their stance on pro-Palestinian student activists advocating “Jewish genocide.” The presidents, Claudine Gay, Liz Magill, and Sally Kornbluth, equivocated on whether such calls violated their codes of conduct, emphasizing a context-dependent approach.
Elise Stefanik, a prominent House Republican, condemned the presidents’ testimony as “pathetic and morally bankrupt” and announced an official congressional investigation. The committee, armed with subpoena power, intends to hold these universities accountable for their perceived failure on the global stage.
The backlash against the presidents has been bipartisan, with both Republicans and Democrats expressing concern. The White House issued a statement condemning calls for genocide as “monstrous and antithetical to everything we represent as a country.” The investigation is expected to include substantial document requests and could involve subpoenas for information not readily provided.
Amid the controversy, Virginia Foxx, the chairwoman of the education committee, warned that other universities should anticipate being implicated in the investigation. The probe raises questions about the universities’ learning environments, disciplinary policies, and their handling of antisemitic incidents on campus. The aftermath includes calls for resignations, withdrawal of donations, and legal action against the institutions.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which triggered the rise in campus protests, has further intensified the scrutiny of how universities address and respond to antisemitism.
(with inputs from agencies)
During the five-hour hearing, representatives, led by Elise Stefanik, questioned the presidents of Harvard, Penn, and MIT about their stance on pro-Palestinian student activists advocating “Jewish genocide.” The presidents, Claudine Gay, Liz Magill, and Sally Kornbluth, equivocated on whether such calls violated their codes of conduct, emphasizing a context-dependent approach.
Elise Stefanik, a prominent House Republican, condemned the presidents’ testimony as “pathetic and morally bankrupt” and announced an official congressional investigation. The committee, armed with subpoena power, intends to hold these universities accountable for their perceived failure on the global stage.
The backlash against the presidents has been bipartisan, with both Republicans and Democrats expressing concern. The White House issued a statement condemning calls for genocide as “monstrous and antithetical to everything we represent as a country.” The investigation is expected to include substantial document requests and could involve subpoenas for information not readily provided.
Amid the controversy, Virginia Foxx, the chairwoman of the education committee, warned that other universities should anticipate being implicated in the investigation. The probe raises questions about the universities’ learning environments, disciplinary policies, and their handling of antisemitic incidents on campus. The aftermath includes calls for resignations, withdrawal of donations, and legal action against the institutions.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which triggered the rise in campus protests, has further intensified the scrutiny of how universities address and respond to antisemitism.
(with inputs from agencies)
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