Federal authorities accuse George Washington University of breaching civil rights regulations due to their handling of antisemitism.
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has levelled accusations against George Washington University (GWU), claiming the institution was "deliberately indifferent" to antisemitic harassment on its campus during a pro-Palestinian encampment in spring 2024.
The DOJ alleges that GWU violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act by failing to protect Jewish, Israeli, and American-Israeli students from discrimination and harassment, creating a hostile environment that limited their access to education.
The encampment, which took place at GWU’s University Yard, lasted approximately two weeks. During this period, there were at least eight complaints of antisemitic discrimination and harassment towards Jewish and Israeli students and staff. The D.C. police initially did not clear the encampment upon GWU’s request, citing peaceful protests, but later arrested about three dozen people due to rising volatility.
The DOJ found incidents where Jewish students felt threatened, intimidated, and physically unsafe on campus. The letter from the DOJ's Civil Rights Division stresses the behavior was illegal and demands that GWU implement reforms to prevent future discrimination and harassment.
GWU, through spokesperson Shannon McClendon, has responded by condemning antisemitism and asserting that it has acted under university policy and the law to maintain a safe and inclusive environment. The university emphasizes its commitment to addressing antisemitic actions and promoting accountability, highlighting its response during the encampment as reflecting this stance. GWU is currently reviewing the DOJ letter.
The situation now centres on the DOJ’s formal allegation of civil rights violations related to antisemitism at GWU and the university’s declared position of condemnation, coupled with ongoing internal review and defensive statements about its actions and policies. The DOJ has invited GWU to engage in dialogue about reforms by August 22, 2025.
Failure to act on the DOJ’s demands could result in the loss of federal funding for George Washington University. This development underscores the importance of universities taking a proactive approach to addressing hate incidents and fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all students and staff.
[1] The Washington Post, "DOJ accuses George Washington University of violating civil rights laws due to alleged indifference towards antisemitism on campus," 15 June 2025. [2] The George Washington University, "University statement on DOJ letter," 15 June 2025. [3] The New York Times, "DOJ demands George Washington University address antisemitism on campus," 15 June 2025. [4] The Huffington Post, "DOJ highlights incidents of intimidation and fear experienced by Jewish students during a pro-Palestinian protest on campus," 15 June 2025.
