DOJ Probes UC Antisemitism Amid Trump Administration Effort

The U.S. Department of Justice has initiated a civil rights investigation into the University of California system to determine if a hostile work environment for Jewish faculty and staff was allowed during pro-Palestinian protests following the Israel-Hamas conflict. This probe is being conducted under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, focusing on potential patterns of antisemitic discrimination across the university's 10 campuses. The investigation follows reports of pervasive antisemitism, including harassment and discrimination against Jewish individuals on campus, and is part of a broader initiative by the Trump administration to address institutional antisemitism at universities. While the University of California denies these allegations, claiming a steadfast commitment to combating antisemitism and protecting civil rights, the investigation will seek to uncover whether systemic discrimination occurred. This development follows multiple civil rights complaints and aligns with recent federal investigations into similar allegations at other institutions like Columbia University. The Justice Department emphasizes its commitment to defending Jewish Americans and leveraging resources to eradicate antisemitism in educational institutions.