The House Education and Workforce Committee, led by Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI), has opened an investigation into the American Psychological Association (APA) following reports of antisemitism within the organization. A formal letter was sent to APA President Dr. Debra Kawahara requesting information on incidents involving harassment of Jewish members and how leadership has responded to related complaints.
Chairman Walberg stated in the letter: “The Committee is gravely concerned about antisemitism at the APA, which represents more than 172,000 researchers, clinical professionals, professors, and students across the country in the field of psychology. Jewish APA members have reported being harassed and ostracized by their colleagues within the APA and at APA events because of their Jewish identity, their efforts to speak out again antisemitism, and their Zionist beliefs. Members have also stated that their complaints to the association have gone unanswered, raising significant concerns about the APA’s commitment to addressing harassment.”
The letter further claims: “[A]PA has offered educational credits for members to attend conferences where speakers endorsed ‘violence against Jews and Israelis; antisemitic tropes; Holocaust distortion; minimization of Jewish victimization, fear, and grief; and pathologizing of Jewish people’s connection to their indigenous homeland.’”
Additionally, it alleges that “the APA allegedly failed to take meaningful action against a former APA division president who has made deeply antisemitic statements. For example, she allegedly taught that Zionism is a mental illness, called to ‘destroy Zionism,’ referred to Israelis as ‘genocidal f**ks,’ and, after the October 7th attacks, wrote, ‘how dare you slander the names of our martyrs as terrorists.’ More broadly, the rampant antisemitism in her division has led to members resigning.”
The committee is seeking all documents from the APA related to these issues since October 7, 2023. The investigation will help determine whether legislative action may be needed.
