What’s happening:
The U.S. Department of Education is investigating six additional educational institutions across the country for potential discrimination amid the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Why it matters:
These investigations signal the Biden administration’s commitment to addressing and preventing acts of hate and discrimination within the educational system, particularly those related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Which schools are being investigated:
The list includes Montana State University, Tulane University, Union College, the University of Cincinnati, Santa Monica College, and the Cobb County School District in Georgia.
The backdrop:
This wave of investigations follows previous probes into several universities after a terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7. The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights is focusing on incidents of alleged discrimination that relate to shared ancestry and ethnicity.
Response from the Education Department:
While specific details of the investigations have not been disclosed, the Department of Education has emphasized the importance of ensuring safe and inclusive educational environments. U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona has stated that schools must act decisively when students are targeted based on their ethnicity or perceived shared ancestry.
Incidents leading to the investigations:
One notable event was a pro-Palestinian protest near Tulane University, where multiple arrests were made after assaults occurred. Although the protest was not sanctioned by Tulane and took place off-campus, it has nonetheless raised concerns about anti-Semitic incidents and campus security.
Statements from universities:
Tulane University has condemned the hate acts and pledged full cooperation with the investigation. Santa Monica College responded to a complaint regarding the denial of a charter to a pro-Israel student group, taking immediate action to address the issue and reiterating its commitment to a discrimination-free environment.
What’s next:
The Department of Education will continue its investigations, and the institutions involved are expected to cooperate fully. These probes could lead to changes in policies and practices to better protect students from discrimination and ensure their safety on campus.
This story was first published on foxnews.com.