"Facing Shame: The leadership of major U.S. universities, Harvard, MIT, and the University of Pennsylvania, refused to condemn the rampant anti-Semitism on campuses amid the war in Gaza and the massacre on October 7, during a hearing held for them by the Education Committee of the House of Representatives. 'Does a call for the murder of Jews violate the conduct rules of Penn University, yes or no?' Republican Alice Stefanik asked the university president, Elizabeth Megill, during a hearing in the House of Representatives Education Committee.

'If the words turn into opposition, it can be harassment,' she evaded, but Stefanik continued to press: 'I'm asking, is a specific call for the murder of Jews indeed considered violence or harassment?' After an exchange, the president of the University of Pennsylvania responded, 'It can be harassment.' Stefanik replied, 'The answer is yes.' Stefanik wrote on her X account (formerly Twitter), 'University presidents refuse to condemn a call for the murder of the Jewish people. This is unacceptable and anti-Semitic – everyone must resign today.'

Despite the probing hearing, the decision 'to require campus leaders to confront anti-Semitism' was rejected. However, the committee chair, Representative Virginia Foxx, a Republican from North Carolina and Education and Labor Committee Chair, called on the three university presidents to do more to combat anti-Semitism on campuses.

Cases of anti-Semitism on American university campuses have grown since the beginning of the conflict in Gaza. In an exceptional incident at UCLA at the end of November, pro-Palestinian students roamed the campus with knives in their hands. The students used the sharp objects to tear signs for Israel and for the release of the kidnapped. At least two students were photographed with knives in their hands.

The Jewish student organization Hillel at Harvard responded to the Congress debate: 'We are appalled by the need to state the obvious: calls for murder against Jews are always an incitement to violence. The failure of President Guy to properly condemn this discourse raises questions about her ability to protect Jewish students on campus.'"