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Wednesday, March 5, 2025
US feds open civil rights probe into antisemitism at University of California public system
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleLuke Tress is The Times of Israel's New York correspondent.
The US Department of Justice opens a civil rights investigation into antisemitism at the University of California, one of the leading public university systems in the US.
The federal Task Force to Combat Antisemitism says the probe will investigate whether the university system has violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment discrimination.
“This Department of Justice will always defend Jewish Americans, protect civil rights, and leverage our resources to eradicate institutional Antisemitism in our nation’s universities,” says US Attorney General Pamela Bondi.
Most federal probes into campus antisemitism are filed under Title VI, which prohibits discrimination in institutions that receive federal funding.
Jewish legal groups are also seeking to expand the use of Title II, a law that prohibits discrimination in public spaces.
In response to the investigation, the University of California said it “is unwavering in its commitment to combating antisemitism and protecting everyone’s civil rights.”
“We continue to take specific steps to foster an environment free of harassment and discrimination for everyone in the university community,” the university said in a statement.
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