The University of California (UC) system has announced a ban on all Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) activity across its campuses. Effective immediately, student governments and university bodies are prohibited from boycotting companies based on their association with any specific country, according to international media reports, reports The Jerusalem Post.
This development follows a warning from the Trump administration that institutions affiliated with BDS would become ineligible for federal research grants. The University of California has also come under federal investigation for its failure to address antisemitism on campus, raising further concerns about discrimination against Jewish students.
The US Department of Justice is examining whether a “pattern of discrimination” against Jewish Americans existed during pro-Palestinian protests at UC and other campuses. This investigation is being conducted under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment discrimination, including discrimination based on religion.
“Our country has witnessed a disturbing rise of antisemitism at educational institutions in California and nationwide,” said Chad Mizelle, Acting Associate Attorney General and DOJ Chief of Staff.
“The Department of Justice is committed to upholding Title VII… and protecting Jewish Americans.”
The Justice Department also announced probes into eight additional universities:
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Columbia University
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Harvard University
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George Washington University
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New York University
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University of Southern California
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Johns Hopkins University
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Northwestern University
This move marks the latest in a series of federal responses aimed at addressing campus antisemitism, particularly where student activism has crossed into anti-Israel and potentially discriminatory conduct under the guise of political protest.
Photo credit: MIKE BLAKE/REUTERS
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