US Justice Department Official Calls Rising Antisemitism a National Crisis

Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, Kristen Clarke, declared that the rise in antisemitism in the United States is not merely a series of isolated incidents but a national crisis requiring a determined national response. Speaking at a gala for the Israeli-American Council (IAC) in San Diego, Clarke emphasized the Justice Department's commitment to ensuring all Americans can live and learn without fear.

Clarke highlighted the department's enforcement actions, including lawsuits against Harvard University and UCLA for allegedly discriminating against Jewish students and violating their civil rights. The department has also secured nearly $500 million in settlements with major universities such as Columbia, Northwestern, Cornell, and Brown, which include enforceable protections against antisemitism.

Furthermore, the Civil Rights Division is investigating over 100 educational institutions, from colleges to vocational schools, for policies that foster an antisemitic climate. Clarke also mentioned ongoing legal action against a coffee shop that refused service to Jewish customers and prosecutions for antisemitic hate crimes and violence in New Jersey, California, Washington, and New York.

Clarke added that the administration is utilizing federal laws to protect synagogues and Orthodox communities from discriminatory zoning laws and disruptions to worship. She urged community members to continue reporting incidents and pledged that combating antisemitism would remain a top priority during her tenure under President Trump and Attorney General Barr.