Feds investigating Harvard over antisemitic incidents on campus

The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Education has opened an investigation into Harvard University following a rise in antisemitic actions on campus, a spokesperson told The National Desk (TND) Tuesday.

The probe is tied to a wave of alleged antisemitic actions on campus following the October 7 invasion of Israel by Hamas terrorists. Earlier this month, an editor of the Harvard Law Review was one of several anti-Israel protesters seen on video and shouting at a Jewish student, though it is unclear what specific incidents the federal investigation is tied to.

An Israeli billionaire and his wife also away from the school’s executive board in October over its response to the October 7 invasion. The move followed a letter signed by 31 campus student groups Israel for the Hamas terrorist invasion.

Though Harvard is not yet listed for any recent offenses under OCR’s of open investigations, it is still listed under an investigation into admission practices opened in July. The list is updated monthly and may not yet show the latest probe.

OCR maintains, however, an open investigation does not imply wrongdoing by an institution.

The inclusion of an institution on this list does not mean that the institution violated a federal anti-discrimination statute; rather, it means that a complaint was filed with OCR and the agency determined the complaint should be opened for investigation, or the agency has opened a compliance review,” its website reads.

Representatives of Harvard media affairs did not respond to repeated requests for comment from TND Tuesday.

The school is one of several sending leadership before Congress to to the Committee on Education and the Workforce about their schools’ responses to antisemitism on campus. Harvard leadership will be joined by representatives from the University of Pennsylvania and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

“College and university presidents have a responsibility to foster and uphold a safe learning environment for their students and staff,” the committee wrote. “Now is not a time for indecision or milquetoast statements. By holding this hearing, we are shining the spotlight on these campus leaders and demanding they take the appropriate action to stand strong against antisemitism.”