Federal authorities allege that George Washington University disregarded instances of antisemitism on its campus, exhibiting deliberate neglect.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has concluded an investigation into antisemitism at George Washington University (GWU) and found the university "deliberately indifferent" to antisemitic harassment and discrimination against Jewish and Israeli students during a pro-Palestinian protest encampment in spring 2024.
The DOJ alleges that GWU violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by ignoring complaints and failing to stop the hostile educational environment created by protesters, which included harassment, threats, and assaults that interfered with students' ability to attend classes and graduate.
In response, GWU spokesperson Shannon McClendon stated that the university condemns antisemitism and is committed to addressing antisemitic actions and promoting an inclusive campus environment. McClendon also mentioned that the school is currently reviewing the letter from the DOJ.
The DOJ has given GWU the opportunity to enter into a voluntary resolution agreement, threatening to proceed with enforcement if a resolution isn't reached. The deadline for GWU to respond is August 22, 2025.
The investigation at GWU follows similar announcements over UCLA, where the university was notified that it would be losing federal research funding over alleged antisemitism. However, as of August 2025, there is no available public information from recent DOJ updates or investigations indicating an active investigation or findings related to antisemitism at UCLA by the U.S. Department of Justice.
The DOJ's letter to GWU refers to incidents that took place over a year ago, during pro-Palestinian protests at universities across the country. These incidents included instances where Jewish and Israeli students were subjected to a hostile environment that was offensive, severe, and pervasive.
One Jewish student at GWU reported that antisemitic protesters ordered them to leave the yard where the encampment was. Another student held up an Israeli flag and was confronted by protestors who linked arms to restrict the student's movements. In one instance, a nearby school police officer told the student to leave for their own safety.
The Stanford Daily, the student newspaper at Stanford University, has taken legal action against the administration over provisions in federal immigration law that they say officials have wielded against those with pro-Palestinian views, threatening deportation and the revocation of visas. The situation has led to censorship and violations of free speech rights, according to Greta Reich, the Stanford Daily's editor-in-chief.
The investigation into GWU highlights the ongoing issue of antisemitism on college campuses and the need for universities to take action to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all students.
| University | DOJ Investigation Status (Aug 2025) | |--------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------| | George Washington Univ. | DOJ found "deliberate indifference" to antisemitism; enforcement actions pending if no resolution by Aug 22, 2025 | | UCLA | No public record of DOJ antisemitism investigation or findings at this time |
The DOJ's voluntary resolution agreement with George Washington University is a significant step in addressing antisemitism in education-and-self-development, particularly within the context of politics and general-news following the pro-Palestinian protests. Failure to comply with this agreement may lead to potential funding cuts, as demonstrated by the ongoing investigation at UCLA regarding the same issue.
