The Departments of Education (ED), Health and Human Services (HHS), and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) have announced a review of recent incidents of anti-Semitic violence at the University of Washington (UW) and its affiliates.
The Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism has acknowledged the university's statement condemning the violence and commended law enforcement for their swift action in removing violent individuals from campus. The Task Force emphasizes that further measures are needed to prevent future violence and ensure Jewish students have a safe learning environment. They expect UW to implement necessary policy changes and enforcement actions.
This review follows an outbreak of anti-Semitic harassment and violence on May 5 at UW’s Seattle campus. Protestors, opposing Boeing's military contracts linked to the Gaza conflict, barricaded an engineering building, set property on fire, and issued death threats to law enforcement.
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon stated, “The violence and chaos that ensued on University of Washington’s campus is yet another horrifying display of the antisemitic harassment and lawlessness which has characterized many of our nation’s elite campuses over the last several years. This destructive behavior is unacceptable.”
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., remarked, “No institution that tolerates violence, harassment, or the open intimidation of Jewish students should expect to receive billions in taxpayer support.”
Josh Gruenbaum from GSA added, “The despicable events that occurred at the University of Washington are another disturbing example of how institutions are failing to protect their communities from radical and dangerous harassment."
These actions by the Task Force align with previous measures taken at Columbia University and Harvard University under President Trump's Executive Order titled "Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism." The aim is to ensure federally funded institutions comply with civil rights laws.
