Colleges and universities across the United States are struggling to handle the ongoing debate over the Israel-Hamas war, with pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protests taking place and federal agencies launching investigations into possible discrimination at many institutions.
In recent years, schools, often seen as centers of political discussion, are being criticized for a lack of open dialogue about social issues on campus.
The Israel-Hamas war – with its long, complex history and sensitive relationship over identity and religion – has raised these long-standing tensions to new heights.
According to officials, reports of physical altercations in recent weeks, rising incidents of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, and the deactivation of student-activist groups have taken a toll on schools and put students at risk.
The US Education Department has launched several investigations into US colleges and schools where students have reported anti-Semitism or Islamophobia – five anti-Semitism cases and two Islamophobia cases at seven different schools.
MORE: Ohio State reports 2 anti-Semitic incidents against students in 24 hours
At Harvard, several student groups issued a statement on the conflict, saying that Israeli policies are “solely responsible for all forms of violence” following a terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7, which killed more than 1,200 people. killed, a reference to the long-running humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
There was a strong reaction to the letter, with some Jewish students at the university saying they felt isolated and intimidated following the publication of the letter, which claimed it supported the Hamas attack.