Elite universities must address 'dangerous' anti-Israel protests during the fall semester, as demanded by the House GOP.

Elite universities are being pressured by House Republicans to address the threat of anti-Israel protests during the upcoming fall semester, as part of an ongoing investigation into a "disturbing pattern of antisemitic activity" on campuses.

On Thursday, the House Ways and Means and the Education and the Workforce committees sent a letter to 10 high-profile colleges, requesting information on the measures they will implement to safeguard Jewish students during the upcoming semester and prevent any recurrence of the antisemitic disturbances that occurred during the previous academic year.

The letter stated that failing to enforce basic discipline, punish wrongdoers, and maintain order on campus during disruptions, violence, and hate will negatively impact all students, including Jewish students.

Some colleges, including Columbia University, which canceled its spring commencement ceremony amid protests, did not discipline anti-Israel agitators on their campuses, according to Rep. Jason Smith, R-Mo., chair of the Ways and Means Committee.

"Smith stated in a Planet Chronicle Digital shared statement that the Ways and Means Committee has broad authority over the U.S. tax code and the generous tax benefits American universities receive. Recently, it was discovered that institutions like Columbia University have poorly managed campus disruptions and failed to expel or discipline any students who took over and occupied a campus building. This behavior is unacceptable, Smith emphasized."

Since April, a culture of antisemitism has been discovered at many elite American universities through an investigation led by committees.

The letter highlighted the high risk of coordinated events on college campuses by the hundreds of anti-Israel agitators who recently protested and burned the American flag outside the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's joint-address to Congress.

The issue of antisemitic harassment, disruption, and violence remains unresolved. According to the evidence, these disruptions are likely to recur on campuses this fall, so you must be ready to take action.

"If severe disciplinary action and clear, enforced campus policies are not implemented to prevent harassment and intimidation, elite institutions are allowing radical students and organizations to continue taking our higher education system hostage and creating an unsafe campus environment for Jewish students. University administrators should heed this warning and take action to address the issue."

Congress members emphasized the impact of protests on students' safety and academic performance.

The universities that received the letter were Barnard College, the University of California Berkeley, Columbia University, Cornell University, Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Northwestern University, the University of Pennsylvania, Rutgers University, and the University of California Los Angeles. Some of these universities responded to Planet Chronicle Digital's request for comment on the letter.

Northwestern University is updating its code of conduct before the new school year in response to the increase in antisemitism.

"Northwestern University is taking measures to combat the rise in antisemitism on campus, which reflects a concerning trend nationwide. The University is updating its Student Code of Conduct, Demonstration Policy, and Display Policy, while also improving on-campus security, community resources, and educational opportunities, as President Schill announced in a message to the community earlier this week."

Cornell University stated that they "received the letter and will address the Committees' inquiries."

Rutgers informed Fox that they received the letter and will reply directly to the House Ways and Means Committee and Education and Workforce Committee.

Columbia is dedicated to fighting antisemitism and all forms of discrimination and taking concrete steps to create a campus where everyone in our community can succeed. We have been working hard to revise and improve our policies before the upcoming semester and are currently reviewing the letter.

"Rutgers University has declared that it stands against hate in all its forms and aims to create a safe and supportive environment for all its students, faculty, and staff. The university rejects intolerance based on religion, national origin, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, ability, or political views."

The President of the UC system sent a recent message to students, staff, and faculty on the Berkeley campus and across the UC system, and Berkeley directed Fox to it.

The president stated that members of all UC communities are encouraged to speak out on issues that are important to them, while the University must adhere to policies that safeguard the rights of expressive activity, protect state and federally protected identities, and ensure that all have access to our campuses in a timely and safe manner.

A spokesperson for the University of Pennsylvania refused to provide a comment when contacted by Planet Chronicle Digital.

Unsuccessful were attempts to contact Barnard College, Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the University of California Los Angeles.

Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., stated that Jewish students are entitled to a secure learning environment, and without a plan, they will be subjected to the same hostile and dangerous conditions they experienced in the previous semester.

"Foxx stated that universities should have utilized their summer 'break' to ensure that those responsible for the previous semester's chaos do not return and have a plan in place to handle potential violence in the future. If they failed to do so, they must provide their students with answers."

The universities were requested to disclose any new policies and disciplinary measures they have implemented to prevent protests on campus this academic year.