The Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is investigating Harvard University following allegations of antisemitism on campus stemming from the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
This Tuesday, Fox News Digital shared a letter in which Kristi R. Harris, senior attorney at the OCR office in Boston, announced the opening of an investigation to determine whether Harvard responded appropriately to the alleged harassment of Israeli students or students of Jewish descent.
The complaint that triggered this investigation was filed by a Harvard student, who alleged that the renowned educational institution discriminated against students based on origin by not adequately addressing some incidents of harassment.
Israeli student attacked
The charge comes after an Israeli freshman at Harvard Business School was allegedly shoved and harassed by pro-Palestinian protesters during a demonstration in October following the Hamas attack. Reports indicate that both the FBI and Harvard police received a complaint indicating that the Israeli student was assaulted both physically and verbally.
BREAKING: Harvard faces Department of Education civil rights investigation over antisemitism on campushttps://t.co/AoMGvPEcNG
— Fox News (@FoxNews) November 28, 2023
The lawsuit can be filed in federal court
According to Harris' letter, the plaintiffs have the right to bring the complaint for which Harvard is being investigated to federal court. This, regardless of OCR's conclusion as to whether or not there was a violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or origin in any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education.
Harvard president to testify on Capitol Hill about antisemitism on campus
This same Tuesday, it was also announced that the presidents of Harvard, MIT and the University of Pennsylvania will testify on December 5 before the House of Representatives and the Workforce Committee about the widespread antisemitism on its campuses after the Hamas attacks on October 7.
"College and university presidents have a responsibility to foster and uphold a safe learning environment for their students and staff. 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," stated North Carolina Republican Rep. and committee chairwoman Virginia Foxx.
