University Presidents To Face Questioning Over Anti-Israel Protests

The presidents of Northwestern and Rutgers universities will testify before a House education committee on May 23 regarding their handling of anti-Israel protests on their campuses. Committee chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) accused the presidents of making “shocking concessions” to “unlawful antisemitic encampments.”

Northwestern President Michael Schill conceded last week to demands from protesters including full-ride scholarships for five Palestinian students per year and faculty posts for Palestinian academics. Protesters have been seen wearing clothing bearing the image of a Hamas terrorist and displaying signs depicting Schill, who is Jewish, with devil horns and blood.

At Rutgers an orthodox Jewish professor resigned citing rampant antisemitism “from the classroom … to the highest offices at the university.” Demonstrators have been observed shouting “Hitler would have loved you” at Jewish students and calling for an intifada.

University of California Los Angeles Chancellor Gene Block will also testify while Yale University President Peter Salovey and University of Michigan President Santa Ono will be required to appear for transcribed interviews at a later date or risk deposition and subpoena.

A Morning Consult poll last week showed strong public support for law enforcement cracking down on the anti-Israel encampments with nearly half wanting to ban campus “pro-Palestinian demonstrations” entirely. The House hearing is part of a broader Republican effort to combat antisemitism in higher education.

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