US threatens to cut funds to colleges failing to tackle antisemitism, Islamophobia

The US Education Department has issued a missive to American public schools and colleges, warning them that they could lose federal funding if they fail to uphold their legal obligation to address antisemitism and Islamophobia amid an uptick in such incidents since the Israel-Hamas war outbreak.

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona tells CNN that there has been an uptick in incidents of antisemitism and Islamophobia reported to his department’s Office of Civil Rights, with eight or nine complaints coming in since October 7.

While Cardona stresses that withholding funds is not the first response his office will take,  he says it will do so if the issue is ignored.

“I would want to provide support for these universities, provide guidance. And if there are egregious acts, I want to make sure that we’re investigating,” Cardona says. “Ultimately, if we have to withhold dollars from a campus refusing to comply, we would.”

“We want to promote free speech and, to be frank with you, college campuses are where students should be able to express different opinions. But when it comes to antisemitism or Islamophobia, that has no place on our college campuses or in our schools,” Cardona says.