College presidents to testify to House over handling of antisemitic protests

The presidents of Harvard University, University of Pennsylvania and Massachusetts Institute of Technology will testify before the House about allegations that they mishandled antisemitic and violent protests after the Oct. 7 attack on Israel. 

The House Education and Workforce Committee said Wednesday that the hearing, titled, "Holding Campus Leaders Accountable and Confronting Antisemitism," will be held Dec. 5. 

"Over the past several weeks, we’ve seen countless examples of antisemitic demonstrations on college campuses. Meanwhile, college administrators have largely stood by, allowing horrific rhetoric to fester and grow," Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., said. 

"By holding this hearing, we are shining the spotlight on these campus leaders and demanding they take the appropriate action to stand strong against antisemitism."

All of the schools whose presidents are testifying have seen particularly rambunctious demonstrations and statements against Israel. 

For example, dozens of Harvard student groups signed a letter stating that they "hold the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence" after terrorists invaded Israel on Oct. 7, killing about 1,200 people and kidnapping approximately 240 others.

In another incident, pro-Palestine Harvard students were seen on video surrounding a Jewish student and yelling at him.

The Education Department's Office for Civil Rights is also reportedly investigating Harvard's response to claims of antisemitism on campus. 

Meanwhile, at MIT, students occupied a building for much of the day earlier this month in protest, while UPenn President Liz Magill has been under fire since before Oct. 7 for the school's handling of antisemitism allegations. 

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