House Committee Investigates Anti-Semitism in Medical Schools

The House Education Committee is looking into medical schools in three blue states after Jewish students reportedly faced persistent anti-Semitism that left them feeling “terrorized.”

Investigations focus on the University of California campuses in Los Angeles and San Francisco, along with the University of Illinois School of Medicine, all accused of fostering environments where Jewish faculty and patients encounter regular hostility.

Representative Tim Walberg noted that the universities have not shown meaningful efforts to tackle this issue. UCLA, in particular, has been cited for instances of anti-Semitic messaging, including derogatory portrayals of Jews.

In the fall of 2022, students appealed to the school’s Medical Student Council to form a club named “Medical Students Against Anti-Semitism,” but administrators deemed this initiative unnecessary. This inaction seemed to heighten fears among Jewish students.

One student even confided that she felt unsafe wearing her Star of David necklace in public. Several others opted out of taking photos at the Menorah Lighting Ceremony in December 2023, worried about being doxxed.

Dr. Kira Stein, founder of UCLA’s Jewish Teacher Resilience Group, commended the House investigation. Many Jewish students and faculty report experiencing “discrimination” and “intimidation.”

“These are not isolated events. They reflect a troubling trend that has deeply affected our community,” she stated, emphasizing that anti-Semitism at UCLA is pervasive and often met with silence from university leaders.

At UCSF, a cancer center faced backlash for employing anti-Semitic language that invoked Holocaust imagery last year. Additionally, staff allegedly called for “intifada” during a Palestinian defense demonstration outside the medical center in May.

Shortly after, UCSF employees reportedly wore inverted red triangle jackets, a symbol associated with Hamas, during a staff resources fair. A staff member even raised concerns about trusting Zionist doctors to provide medical care.

This investigation unfolds as the Trump administration threatens to cut federal funds to universities, including Columbia and Harvard, failing to eradicate anti-Semitism.

At the University of Illinois School of Medicine, efforts by students to initiate discussions around anti-Semitism in admissions were met with resistance; the university’s dean allegedly said “not now.” Additionally, a poster focused on Hamas’ hostages was said to have been repeatedly torn down.

Tim Lacey, the Director of Student Learning Environments at UICOM, is also under scrutiny for his role in this hostile environment.

Walberg pointed out that an administrator responsible for addressing concerns of hostility towards Jewish students is perceived as contributing to the very issues he’s supposed to help resolve.

“Given this situation, he isn’t equipped to respond effectively to these concerns, which is a crucial aspect of his role,” Walberg added.

He also underscored that universities receiving federal funding must adhere to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which mandates a commitment to prevent and address discrimination.

Michigan lawmakers have requested all documents and communications regarding reports of hostile conduct toward Jewish individuals. The medical school did not respond to requests for comments.