Department of Education investigating Harvard for antisemitism claims

The Department of Education is investigating Harvard University over claims of antisemitism on campus amid ongoing fallout over a coalition of student groups publishing an open letter blaming Israel for an Oct. 7 Hamas raid.

The inquiry began Tuesday, prompted by allegations that the school failed to properly handle claims of antisemitism on campus when the ongoing conflict began, The Hill reported. 

Harvard attracted widespread backlash in early October when a group of more than 30 student groups, led by the Harvard Undergraduate Palestine Solidarity Committee, published a statement saying they "hold the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence."

University President Claudine Gay was subsequently distanced the school from its own students, stating that "[a]s the events of recent days continue to reverberate, let there be no doubt that I condemn the terrorist atrocities perpetrated by Hamas. Such inhumanity is abhorrent, whatever one’s individual views of the origins of longstanding conflicts in the region."

"Let me also state, on this matter as on others, that while our students have the right to speak for themselves, no student group — not even 30 student groups — speaks for Harvard University or its leadership," she continued.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.