In a recent development, campuses across the United States have been rocked by protests, some of which have turned violent, as tensions have escalated due to the Israel-Hamas conflict. In response to the alarming rise in threats and harassment targeting Jewish and Muslim students, the Biden administration has issued a warning to U.S. schools and colleges, urging them to take immediate action against antisemitism and Islamophobia on their campuses.

The Education Department sent a letter on Tuesday, reminding educational institutions of their legal obligation to protect students and intervene in cases of harassment that disrupt their education. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona emphasized the need to address the trauma experienced by students in the wake of hate incidents related to the Israel-Hamas conflict. He stated that antisemitism, Islamophobia, and all forms of hatred go against the values of the nation.

Universities have faced criticism for their response to the war and its impact on Jewish and Muslim students. Many students feel that not enough is being done to ensure their safety. Protests have sometimes turned violent, such as a recent demonstration at Tulane University, and threats of violence have disrupted campuses, including Cornell University.

The Education Department's letter provided limited guidance on how colleges should respond to the issue, which has raised questions about the boundaries between political speech and harassment. Instead, the letter outlined the broad duties of schools under the Civil Rights Act, stating that they must intervene in conduct that is objectively offensive and limits a person's ability to participate in educational activities.

The department urged schools to be vigilant in protecting students' rights and reminded them that failure to do so could result in penalties, including a loss of federal funding. In a meeting with a group of Jewish students from Baltimore colleges, Secretary Cardona expressed his shock and horror at incidents of antisemitism on U.S. campuses. A White House official attending the meeting highlighted the rise in attacks on Arabs and Muslims as well.

Students at Towson University shared their experiences of antisemitic incidents, such as disrupted prayer gatherings and offensive messages targeting Jews on campus. Makayla Bernstein, president of Towson Hillel, commended the Education Department's letter but expressed the need for clearer guidelines to identify and address antisemitic behavior. She emphasized the fear and insecurity felt by many students and called on President Biden to acknowledge the situation.

Similarly, Steven Doctorman, a Jewish student at Johns Hopkins University, welcomed the department's warning but emphasized the need for additional measures to identify and prevent antisemitism and Islamophobia. He called for schools and administrations to take a strong stance against hate speech.

The concerns of Muslim and Arab students were also highlighted, with incidents of hate crimes and offensive messages reported at Stanford University and Yale University. Students expressed dissatisfaction with their universities' responses, citing delayed statements and downplaying the severity of the attacks.

University leaders have faced challenges in balancing students' safety with their right to free speech. While many institutions have issued statements condemning violence, they have also allowed pro-Israel and pro-Palestine rallies that have caused further unrest on campuses. President Ronald D. Liebowitz of Brandeis University took a different approach, stating in an op-ed that student groups promoting hate speech would lose their affiliations and privileges.

The Education Department's letter is part of the Biden administration's efforts to support colleges and combat antisemitism. Federal law enforcement officials are collaborating with campus police to assess threats and enhance security. The department has also updated a federal complaint form to clarify that certain forms of antisemitism and Islamophobia are prohibited by federal law. As part of its national strategy against antisemitism and a new strategy to counter Islamophobia, the Biden administration will be taking further steps to address these issues.

Catherine E. Lhamon, assistant secretary for civil rights at the Education Department, emphasized that hate-based discrimination has no place in schools and pledged support for universities in their efforts to protect students from all backgrounds. The AP education team receives support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, with the AP solely responsible for all content.