US reviews Columbia University contracts over anti-Semitism claims

The administration of President Donald Trump said yesterday it will review Columbia University’s federal contracts and grants over allegations of anti-Semitism, which it says the educational institution has shown inaction in tackling, Reuters reports.

Rights advocates note rising anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and anti-Arab bias since US ally Israel’s devastating military assault on Gaza began in October 2023.

The Justice Department said a month ago it formed a task force to fight anti-Semitism. The U.S. Departments of Health and Education and the General Services Administration jointly made the review announcement yesterday.

“The Federal Government’s Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism is considering Stop Work Orders for $51.4 million in contracts between Columbia University and the Federal Government,” the joint statement said.

The agencies said no contracting actions had been taken yet.

“The task force will also conduct a comprehensive review of the more than $5 billion in federal grant commitments to Columbia University.”

The agencies did not respond to requests for comment on whether there were similar reviews over allegations of Islamophobia and anti-Arab bias.

Columbia said it was reviewing the announcement. It has previously said it made efforts to tackle anti-Semitism.

Trump has signed an executive order to combat anti-Semitism and pledged to deport non-citizen college students and others who took part in pro-Palestinian protests.

Columbia was at the centre of college protests in which demonstrators demanded an end to US support for Israel due to the humanitarian crisis caused by Israel’s assault on Gaza.

There were allegations of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia in protests and counter-protests.

During last summer’s demonstrations around the country, classes were cancelled, some university administrators resigned and student protesters were suspended and arrested.

While the intensity of protests has decreased in recent months, there were some demonstrations last week in New York after the expulsion of two students at Columbia University-affiliated Barnard College and after New York Governor Kathy Hochul ordered the removal of a Palestinian studies job listing at Hunter College.

A third student at Barnard College has since been expelled, this one related to the occupation of the Hamilton Hall building at Columbia last year.

READ: Pro-Israel Jewish billionaires caught secretly plotting to crackdown on student protests