Harvard University is a “wilful participant” in the harassment of Jewish students and staff, an investigation by the Trump administration found.
The investigation found the university had violated federal civil rights law over its treatment of Jewish and Israeli students, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported.
“Failure to institute adequate changes immediately will result in the loss of all federal financial resources and continue to affect Harvard’s relationship with the federal government,” a letter sent to Alan Garber, the president of Harvard, said.
The university was a “wilful participant in anti-Semitic harassment of Jewish students, faculty, and staff” and acted with deliberate indifference to the threat of anti-Semitism on campus, the report claimed.
Mr Trump has said he is trying to force change at Harvard, as well as other top American universities, because they have been captured by Leftist “woke” thought and become bastions of anti-Semitism.
Funding cut
Harvard was the first institution to defy White House orders to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) offices and to curb pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
The university, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has around 6,800 foreign students from more than 100 countries, including Britain.
The Trump administration has already cut $2.6 billion (£1.93 billion) in federal research funding to the university and is weighing action to remove its tax-exempt status.
Mr Trump has secured concessions from other elite universities, such as Columbia, but Harvard has continued to push back.
A lawsuit filed by Harvard in April argues its freeze on research funding was unconstitutional and called for more than $2.2 billion in research funding to be restored.
“Anti-Semitism is a serious problem and no matter the context, it is unacceptable. Harvard has taken substantive, proactive steps to address the root causes of anti-Semitism in its community. In responding to the government’s investigation, Harvard not only shared its comprehensive and retrospective Antisemitism and Anti-Israeli Bias Report but also outlined the ways that it has strengthened policies, disciplined those who violate them, encouraged civil discourse, and promoted open, respectful dialogue. Harvard is far from indifferent on this issue and strongly disagrees with the government’s findings.
“Harvard has made significant strides to combat bigotry, hate and bias. We are not alone in confronting this challenge and recognise that this work is ongoing. We remain committed to ensuring members of our Jewish and Israeli community are embraced, respected, and can thrive at Harvard.”