Civil rights officials probe four U.S. medical schools over antisemitism
The Office of Civil Rights within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has recently announced investigations into four medical schools over alleged antisemitic incidents during their 2024 commencement ceremonies. While the schools have not been officially named by HHS, reports suggest that Harvard, Columbia, Brown, and Johns Hopkins medical schools are under scrutiny. These investigations come in the wake of a school year marred by what critics have described as a rise in antisemitic incidents following Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
Gerard Filitti, senior counsel at The Lawfare Project, a legal organization that advocates for the civil rights of the Jewish community, expressed concerns about the surge in antisemitism within the medical profession since the attack on Israel. He emphasized the need to address these issues promptly and commended HHS for initiating these investigations.
Harvard’s 2024 commencement ceremony drew criticism for inviting media CEO Maria Ressa as the commencement speaker. Ressa, known for her pro-Palestinian stance, had made controversial remarks likening Israel to Nazi Germany in an op-ed following the Hamas attack. During her commencement address at Harvard, she was accused of making statements that perpetuated antisemitic stereotypes and praising pro-Hamas demonstrations on campus.
The atmosphere at Harvard was reportedly so hostile that a campus Rabbi felt compelled to confront Ressa during the event and subsequently walked offstage, describing the ceremony as “vile.” Former Harvard University President Larry Summers acknowledged the university’s slow response in combating antisemitism on campus.
In response to the investigations, Harvard Medical School released a statement condemning antisemitism and reaffirming its commitment to combating discrimination and harassment. The school expressed willingness to cooperate with HHS in addressing the concerns raised about the commencement ceremony.
Similar complaints of antisemitism and inadequate responses were reported at Columbia, Johns Hopkins, and Brown medical schools. Some Jewish students reportedly opted to attend other institutions due to the hostile environment on these campuses. The Trump administration has taken swift action to address antisemitism, with the Department of Justice forming a task force to combat antisemitism and an executive order targeting antisemitism on college campuses.
Dr. Stanley Goldfarb, chairman of the nonprofit Do No Harm, emphasized the need to eradicate antisemitism from medical schools, particularly those promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. He commended HHS for addressing the issue and stressed the importance of maintaining a discrimination-free environment in medical education.
In addition to the investigations into the medical schools, the Department of Education has launched civil rights investigations into several universities, including Columbia, Northwestern, UC Berkeley, University of Minnesota, and Portland State University. These actions underscore the government’s commitment to combating antisemitism and upholding civil rights across educational institutions.
As these investigations unfold, it is crucial for universities to address antisemitism and create a safe and inclusive environment for all students. The swift actions taken by HHS and other government agencies demonstrate a proactive approach to safeguarding the rights of Jewish Americans and promoting a culture of respect and tolerance within educational settings.
