House Committee Investigates Antisemitism at UCLA, UCSF, Illinois Medical Schools

The House Education and Workforce Committee, chaired by Rep. Tim Walberg, has launched investigations into allegations of antisemitism at the medical schools of UCLA, UCSF, and the University of Illinois College of Medicine. The committee expressed concerns that Jewish students are experiencing hostility and fear on these campuses, and that the institutions have not taken sufficient steps to address or mitigate the problem, potentially violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Specific incidents cited include inflammatory social media posts by faculty and students, such as comparisons of Israel to the Islamic State and Nazi Germany, and support for Hamas rhetoric. At UCLA, allegations include a student comparing Hamas actions to a slave rebellion and a lecture that glorified resistance against Israel, while at UCSF, a professor shared antisemitic claims linked to Hamas. The committee has demanded extensive documentation and communications related to these incidents and institutional responses since September 2021, as part of a broader federal probe that has already led to suspended research funding and ongoing negotiations between the Justice Department and UCLA. These investigations add to scrutiny faced by Chicago-area universities, including Northwestern and DePaul, over similar accusations.