Federal Task Force Plans Antisemitism Visits to Major Cities

The U.S. Department of Justice's Federal Task Force to Combat Antisemitism plans to visit Boston, Chicago, New York City, and Los Angeles to address concerns about antisemitism in schools and on college campuses. The task force aims to meet with local leaders, including mayors and law enforcement, to discuss allegations that schools may have failed to protect Jewish students from unlawful discrimination, potentially violating federal law. This initiative comes amid rising tensions and protests linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict, leading to increased scrutiny of how universities handle antisemitism complaints, particularly against institutions like Northwestern University and Harvard. U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi emphasized the consequences of inaction among elected officials in response to the surge of antisemitic incidents following the events of October 7, 2023. The Department of Education has also warned several colleges, including those in Boston, about potential enforcement actions regarding Title VI violations. The task force seeks to ensure the safety and civil rights of Jewish students across the nation.