Trump Administration Accuses George Washington University of Discrimination Against Jewish, Israeli Students During Pro-Palestinian Protests

The U.S. Department of Justice announced on Tuesday that it has determined George Washington University (GWU) violated federal civil rights law regarding Jewish, American Israeli, and Israeli students and faculty during pro-Palestinian protests in April and May 2024. The department is now seeking prompt rectification from the university.

In a statement, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon claimed that members of the GWU community engaged in antisemitic, disruptive demonstrations, including establishing an encampment at University Yard with the intention to intimidate and obstruct Jewish, Israeli, and American Israeli students from accessing the university environment.

According to Dhillon’s letter to GWU President Ellen Granberg, the Justice Department found that despite receiving complaints about the abusive conduct on campus, the university showed deliberate indifference towards addressing these issues.

The department has expressed its intention to enforce this matter but is offering GWU an opportunity for a voluntary resolution through a negotiated agreement. The university has until August 22 to express interest in such negotiations.

George Washington University becomes the latest institution to face scrutiny from the Trump administration, which has threatened to withhold federal funds from universities due to pro-Palestinian protests against U.S. ally Israel’s actions in Gaza.

However, some protesters, including Jewish groups, argue that the Trump administration erroneously conflates their criticism of Israel’s military operations in Gaza and its occupation of Palestinian territories with antisemitism, while supporting Palestinian rights is misconstrued as advocating for extremism.