The U.S. Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights has initiated an investigation into Harvard University, focusing on allegations that the institution failed to safeguard Palestinian, Muslim, and Arab students, along with their supporters, from harassment, threats, and intimidation. This inquiry stems from a complaint filed by a Muslim advocacy group.
Harvard has been grappling with internal discord for several months, particularly regarding its response to the conflict between Israel and Gaza, which contributed to the departure of the school’s president, Claudine Gay.
In addition to the current investigation, the Education Department is separately examining Harvard over accusations of antisemitism.
Discrimination Against Muslim Students (Credits: The Boston Globe)
The Muslim Legal Fund of America, the entity behind the civil rights complaint that triggered the new investigation, asserted that more than a dozen students experienced harassment.
Instances of students being labeled as terrorists or facing threats were reported, particularly for wearing keffiyehs, a traditional Palestinian scarf, according to Christina A. Jump, a lawyer representing the group. Some students were subjected to doxxing and intimidation, but Harvard administrators allegedly dismissed the concerns.
Chelsea Glover, another attorney involved in the case, claimed that school administrators prioritized meetings with donors and alumni who, instead of addressing the harassment, purportedly encouraged such behavior.
The complaint, however, did not specify the names of these donors or alumni. According to Ms. Jump, the primary emphasis should be on Harvard’s commitment to its current students rather than catering to wealthy donors and alumni with personal agendas that negatively impact students advocating for Palestinian rights.
