The House of Representatives is demanding accountability from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) regarding its response to antisemitic incidents on its campus following a recent violent pro-Palestinian encampment.
Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), chair of the House Education and Workforce Committee, is spearheading an investigation into UCLA’s handling of escalating radical protests that have seen disturbing anti-Israel and antisemitic actions. Jewish students were reportedly obstructed from accessing public areas and attending classes due to the pro-Palestinian encampment, which also led to assaults on journalists.
A group of about 100 pro-Israel individuals attempted to dismantle the encampment’s barricades. Only after this intervention did university officials, along with local and state authorities, involve law enforcement—a clear indication of institutional negligence.
As part of the investigation, Rep. Foxx’s committee has requested thorough documentation and internal communications from UCLA officials dating back to April 24, encompassing interactions among campus leadership, students involved in the encampment, and local law enforcement agencies. UCLA Chancellor Gene Block, alongside other university administrators, is set to testify at the forthcoming May 23 hearing entitled “Calling for Accountability: Stopping Antisemitic College Chaos.”
Meanwhile, Harvard University has been cited as “unresponsive” to similar congressional information requests, according to committee reports.
This demand for transparency and accountability from educational institutions underscores the broader fight against rising antisemitism and radicalism on campuses, holding these predominantly liberal bastions responsible for protecting the rights and safety of all students, especially those facing religious discrimination.
