Report Reveals Anti-Israel Funding in Colleges

Recent analyses reveal that the U.S. Department of Education has allocated millions in grants to universities with faculty members promoting anti-Israel ideologies, raising concerns about the impact of taxpayer funding on academic bias. A report from Open The Books indicates that since 2020, $283 million has been spent on foreign studies grants, with over $22.1 million specifically for Middle East programs, notably benefiting institutions like Indiana University and Columbia University. Critics, including Campus Reform Fellow Ken Tashjy, argue that such funding aligns with a broader trend of anti-Israel sentiment on campuses, particularly following recent events in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Notably, professors like Joseph Massad at Columbia have been highlighted for their radical views, with students reporting hostile classroom environments. The report urges Congress to scrutinize how these funds are utilized, questioning the necessity of such programs amidst increasing campus antisemitism. Advocates suggest that a reevaluation of grant allocations may be necessary to prevent the spread of anti-American and anti-Israel sentiment in academia.