The House Education and the Workforce Committee has decided to amend its antisemitism hearing by including the presidents from Northwestern University and Rutgers University. This decision comes after “shocking concessions” were made by these universities to pro-Palestinian protesters on their campuses. Originally, the presidents of Yale, the University of Michigan, and UCLA were scheduled to testify on May 23 for a hearing titled “Calling for Accountability: Stopping Antisemitic College Chaos”, but Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) decided to change the list of witnesses due to the actions of Northwestern and Rutgers.
Northwestern’s president, Michael Schill, faced criticism from Jewish organizations after the university announced a deal with pro-Palestinian encampment organizers. Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway also faced calls for resignation after coming to an agreement with protesters on their demands.
Despite these changes, UCLA Chancellor Gene Block will still testify on May 23. The original witnesses from Yale and the University of Michigan will also have to give transcribed interviews at a later date, or risk deposition and subpoena.
The House committee has been focusing on rising antisemitism on university campuses, particularly in response to the conflict between Hamas and Israel. Former and current university presidents have testified before the committee, with some resigning from their positions afterwards. House Republicans are putting pressure on university presidents to take action against antisemitism on their campuses.
The Truth Voices reached out to Rutgers for comment on the situation.
