U.S. Department of Education Investigates Antisemitism and Islamophobia Allegations at Seven Institutions

The investigations, which include the University of Pennsylvania and Lafayette College, are in response to reports of discrimination during the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The U.S. Department of Education has opened investigations into seven institutions, including the University of Pennsylvania and Lafayette College, over allegations of antisemitism and Islamophobia on campus during the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Five of the department’s inquiries relate to antisemitism, while two complaints involve Islamophobia. The investigations are overseen by the department’s Office of Civil Rights.
Schools that do not address the office’s findings could risk losing their federal funding. However, the Department of Education indicated that cutting off dollars was a last resort.
College campuses have become hotbeds for political debate and demonstrations in recent weeks, as students across the country continue to hold rallies in support of both Israelis and Palestinians.
Multiple antisemitic incidents have been reported on Penn’s campus this fall, prompting the university to unveil a task force to combat antisemitism earlier this month.