The Biden administration is expressing concern over the increase in anti-Jewish incidents at universities in the United States. To address this issue, officials from the administration will be meeting with American Jewish leaders on Monday to discuss potential measures to counteract the surge. The tensions between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups have escalated on several campuses, particularly in New York, leading university officials to enhance security measures.
According to the Anti-Defamation League, there has been a nearly 400% spike in anti-Semitic incidents in the U.S. since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7. Out of the 312 incidents reported between October 7 and 23, approximately 190 were linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict. In response to this alarming rise, Vice President Kamala Harris’s husband, Douglas Emhoff, will join Education Secretary Miguel Cardona and other officials to discuss the actions the administration is taking to address these incidents.
The escalation in tensions began when Hamas militants in Gaza breached the barrier to Israel on October 7. Israel reported killing 1,400 people and capturing over 200 individuals in response. Furthermore, Israel launched a bombardment of Gaza, resulting in the deaths of more than 8,000 people, according to medical authorities in the region.
During Monday’s meeting, the administration will discuss the steps being taken to counter the increasing instances of anti-Semitism on campuses. The Jewish leaders present will include representatives from Hillel, the Anti-Defamation League, and the National Council of Jewish Women. Additionally, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona and White House domestic policy adviser Neera Tanden will visit a university later in the week to meet with Jewish students.
Since October 7, the U.S. Departments of Justice and Education have been collaborating with campus law enforcement to identify threats against Jewish, Muslim, and Arab communities. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) also reported an increase in incidents motivated by Islamophobia and bias against Palestinians and Arabs, with 774 complaints received since October 7, the highest level since 2015.
President Biden previously hosted a meeting with several Muslim leaders last Thursday, and administration officials continue to engage with Arab and Muslim community members. Over the weekend, Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, faced threats against Jewish students and the Center of Jewish Living, resulting in campus police guarding the building and students being advised to stay away. The FBI is aware of these threats and is working closely with Cornell and other law enforcement agencies to assess their credibility and take appropriate investigative action.
While the FBI did not disclose the number of reports regarding anti-Semitism or hate against Muslims on campuses, New York Governor Kathy Hochul stated that she has been in discussions with leaders of public and private universities across the state to ensure campus safety. Hochul condemned the recent hateful posts targeting Jewish Cornell students on social media, emphasizing the need to address concerning incidents on college campuses.
The Biden administration is actively working to address the rise in anti-Semitic incidents at U.S. universities, collaborating with Jewish leaders and implementing measures to counteract the surge.
