EXCLUSIVE: House Republicans are spearheading efforts to demand elite universities counteract the threat of anti-Israel protests on campuses in the upcoming fall semester amid their ongoing investigation into a “disturbing pattern of antisemitic activity” on campuses.
The House Ways and Means and the Education and the Workforce committees sent a letter to 10 high-profile colleges on Thursday, asking the universities to provide details on what measures they will be taking to protect Jewish students next semester and prevent antisemitic unrest similar to that of the spring semester.
“Refusals to impose basic discipline, hold bad actors accountable, and restore order on campus in the face of disruptions, violence, and hate will make life worse for all students, including Jewish students,” the letter read.
Rep. Jason Smith, R-Mo., chair of the Ways and Means Committee, charged that some colleges, such as Columbia University – which canceled its spring commencement ceremony amid protests – did not discipline anti-Israel agitators on its campus.
ANTI-ISRAEL DEMONSTRATORS BURN AMERICAN FLAG OUTSIDE CHICAGO CONSULATE ON 2ND NIGHT OF DNC
Protesters gather at Harvard University to show their support for Palestinians in Gaza at a rally in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on Oct. 14, 2023. Thousands of Palestinians sought refuge on Oct. 14 after Israel warned them to evacuate the northern Gaza Strip before an expected ground offensive against Hamas, one week on from the deadliest attack in Israeli history. (Joseph Prezioso)
“The Ways and Means Committee has broad jurisdiction over the U.S. tax-code and the generous tax benefits American universities enjoy,” Smith said in a statement shared with Fox News Digital. “In recent weeks, we have learned institutions like Columbia University have grossly mishandled disruptions on campus and refused to expel or discipline a single student who took over and occupied a campus building. That is unacceptable.”
The committees have been…
