US accuses Harvard university of violation of civil rights law over anti-semitism

The United States government has formally accused Harvard University of violating federal civil rights law by “failing to protect Jewish students and staff from anti-Semitic harassment on its campus,” a development that could impact the prestigious institution’s access to federal funding.

In a letter dated June 30, the Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism announced that the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through its Office for Civil Rights, had completed an investigation and found Harvard in breach of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. This law prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in institutions that receive federal support, Caliber.Az reports.

The letter, addressed to Harvard’s interim president Dr. Alan M. Garber, states that the university showed "deliberate indifference" and, in some instances, "willful participation" in an environment of anti-Semitic hostility. The investigation found that many Jewish students felt unsafe on campus, with some reporting physical assaults, harassment, and widespread social exclusion. Others said they concealed their Jewish identity and religious symbols due to fear of retaliation.

The report also highlighted the circulation of anti-Semitic imagery within the university community, including symbols that merged swastikas with the Israeli flag and depictions of dollar signs within Stars of David — long-associated with anti-Semitic stereotypes. A protest encampment on campus was cited as having disrupted academic life and created an atmosphere of intimidation for Jewish and Israeli students. According to the letter, those involved in the encampment faced minimal or downgraded disciplinary action.

While Harvard did not dispute the findings of fact, the task force warned that failure to implement immediate and meaningful reforms could result in the loss of all federal financial support. The letter argues that Harvard’s approach to identity politics and group-based hierarchies has allowed anti-Semitism to take root, compromising both student safety and academic standards.

By Sabina Mammadli