The congressional hearing, titled “Beyond the Ivy League: Stopping the Spread of Antisemitism on American Campuses,” where President Wendy Raymond was questioned on allegations of antisemitism, saw heightened tensions between Washington leaders and Haverford College. Republican leaders pushed for Haverford to lose its federal funding, but Raymond remained steadfast, reiterating Haverford’s commitment to a positive campus environment and against all forms of discrimination. She denied to give the committee any direct answer regarding student disciplinary proceedings, though she offered a more definitive response on questions of whether calling for “the genocide of Jews” violates college policy.
You can read the Bi-Co News’s live updates from the hearing below.
| 1:37 p.m.
Representative Scott’s closing remarks cited an ADL study which showed that antisemitic incidents have skyrocketed since October 7. He noted, however, that over 75 percent of those incidents have happened on places other than college campuses. “Today marks the 8th time the committee has held a hearing [of this kind], and no concrete action has been taken to protect any students from discrimination,” he said.
No hearings have been held on any other forms of discrimination, he emphasized. “Here we are again,” he continued. “Complaining about the problem instead of offering concrete problems.” He echoed Mr. Cole’s sentiments regarding the necessity of tolerating speech listeners may find offensive, because of the danger posed by letting government control that speech, and reiterated how deeply students all over the country would be hurt by federal funding cuts.
“Students will pay the price,” he said.
–Jessica Schott-Rosenfield
| 1:26 p.m.
Congressman Michael Baumgartner (R-Washington) begins questioning Wendy Raymond by asking how many Americans were killed by Hamas on October 7. Raymond responded that she did not know. He asked her if she knew how many Americans were taken hostage on October 7, to which Raymond stated she did not know. When asked if she condemned Hamas, she responded that she did. Baumgartner asked “do you think you don’t know the numbers of Americans killed or taken hostage on October 7. because they were Jewish?” which Raymond denied. Baumgartner went on to ask if Raymond thinks there has been “sufficient empathy for Jewish Americans who have been killed and taken hostage by Hamas on your campus.” Wendy stated “we were all bereft by what happened on October 7. It was a horrific time in history.”
Congressman Baumgartner stated that “October 7. was the greatest terrorist attack on Americans since 9/11… You have an antisemitic problem on your campus. I appreciate you have come here today acknowledging that you have made mistakes… but your apologies are a little hollow.” Continuing his line of questioning, Baumgartner asked Raymond if she could define antisemitism to which Raymond responded by stating “antisemitism is the hatred of Jews.”
Baumgartner noted that Raymond issued a statement after the January 6. attack on the Capitol. “You described the protestors as being antisemitic… You didn’t issue a strongly worded statement after October 7. but you did after January 6. In that same statement, you said Black Lives Matter was a peaceful organization. Do you think they are peaceful?”
Raymond states that she belives she is being misquoted. Baumgartner reads out the statement and repeats his question, to which Raymond responded “it is a non violent organization.”
He continued to ask “was there any antisemitism committed by the Black Lives Matter organization?” Raymond stated that she was not aware of that. Baumgartner challenged her and asked “are you aware that the Black Lives Matter organization committed over $2 billion in damages?” Raymond began to say”representive, I may not know those facts that you have asked me about. What I do know is I am committed to-” Raymond was subsequently cut off and told by Baumgartner that her apology is hollow. Tensions continue to rise between the two speakers before the Congressman makes his closing remarks
“When you have federal funding on the line, you’ll come here but you have displayed a failure to significantly condemn the attacks on October 7,” Baumgartner conluded.
–Rana Rastegari
May 7th | 13:25 | Jessica Schott-Rosenfield
In response to questioning from Representative Scott (D-Virginia), Mr. Cole reiterated the specific guidelines which dictate whether or not an act constituted a violation of Title VI. He emphasized that all forms of hate speech are protected by the constitution, and this is why the guidelines must be so clear, and must be addressed with a nuanced perspective. “Its a violation of Title VI if the university is deliberately indifferent to that harassment,” he said.
Chairman Walberg cut him off, saying he had gone over his time “again … you’ve made your point very clear,” he said.
May 7th | 13:23 | Hannah Epstein
Congressional Committee Doubles Down on Raymond, Threatens Haverford’s Federal FundingTensions have risen as the congressional committee has repeatedly criticized Raymond’s response, which they view as inadequate.
Multiple representatives have threatened Haverford’s federal funding, as Raymond’s decision to not share information about the disciplinary proceedings of students has become a key point of discussion. One representative, Ryan Mackenzie (R-Pennsylvania), noted that the federal funding Haverford receives “may be in jeopardy,” saying, “you won’t share any information, when discrimination you acknowledge has happened on your campus.”
“The effects of what have happened to Jewish students on our campus have been real…I commit to that work,” Raymond Replied.
“I appreciate that statement but it is lacking in transparency” Mackenzie replied.
May 7th | 13:18 | Jessica Schott-Rosenfield
Representative Grothman (R-Wisconsin), after asserting that American institutions have become predominantly left-wing, asked the witnesses whether they know what percent of students on their campuses would vote fro Donald Trump. President Raymond answered that Haverford does not ask its students that question, and was echoed by her colleagues. She further asserted, “I’m not interested in [the answer],” which Grothman rebutted: “I don’t believe that.” He continued, in addressing the witnesses, “you must have an idea …” which was again denied by the witnesses, before Chairman Walberg notified the representative that his time was up.
May 7th | 13:11 | Hannah Epstein
Representative Robert Onder Jr. began his questioning of Raymond by referencing the student-led protest against the ADL event last fall.
“President Raymond, as you mentioned in your testimony,” he began, “many of your students [protested].”
Onder claimed that one of the chants held during the protest against the ADL event was “from Gaza to Lebanon, Israel will soon be gone,” which protesters chanted while holding “signs with [similar] statements.”
“Do you believe that is an incident [of antisemitism]?” Onder asked. “Would you agree using Zionist in that context, its a synonym for Jew?”
“I am committed to supporting our Jewish community,” Raymond replied.
Onder stated that by saying “no Zionist on campus, no Republicans on campus… they’re [the protesters] are talking about Jews.”
“Zionists are Jews and not Jews, and we do not accept discrimination against anyone at Haverford,” Raymond replied.
Onder continued his questioning of Raymond, asking if “any students involved in that incident disciplined?”
“We did put through discipline some of the students…”
Onder subsequently cut off Raymond, asking “how many students were disciplined and in what ways?”
Raymond began: “I will not-“
“You were similarly evasively,” Onder again cut off Raymond. “Can you cite a federal law [preventing the sharing of information]?”
“My top priority is the safety-” Raymond was subsequently cut off, and berated for not giving information on disciplinary preccedings at Haverford to the committee.
Onder turned to an allegation on Nikki Young, Haverford’s Vice President for Institutional Equity and Access, whom he claimed said “Blacks and gays have not felt safe on campus [for a long time], it is now the turn of Jewish students”
“That is not a statement that she made.” Raymond replied.
“If someone made such a statement, should they be fired?” Onder asked.
“We would follow our practices…” Raymond begin, before she was ultimately cut off.
“I suppose its your first amendment to be evasive…” Onder said. “[it is our rights] to decide that such institutions are not deserving of tax-payer money.”
May 7th | 12:57 | Jessica Schott-Rosenfield
Representative Fine (R-Florida) started his line of questioning by saying, “I think we heard a lot of lip service here.” He shot his first question at President Raymond: “If a student was on your campus right now with a sign that says “no blacks on campus” … what will happen [to that student?] … Would they be kicked off campus, or is that free speech at Haverford?”
President Raymond hesitated before beginning to answer, “It would be the same [response] as to someone who …” before being interrupted by Fine, asking if a student holding a sign saying “no Zionists on campus” would be similarly treated. Raymond was not able to answer before he asked his next question: “Do you believe that Jews are responsible for Covid? … Is that what you believe?”
Fine was referencing an event held by JVP titled “Covid in Times of Genocide: How Israel uses Covid as a Tool of Settler-Colonialism,” the title of which garnered backlash from the Jewish Federation of Philadelphia. “Do you believe that title was ‘thoughtful and considerate’?” Fine asked. “I did not say that about that title, and I do not believe that today,” Raymond responded. “Zionists are welcome on our campus.”
Fine then questioned Raymond on Professor Ha’s anti-Zionist rhetoric on social media, citing moments when he has called Zionists “racists.”
“Those statements are repugnant, and I do not defend them,” Raymond said. She confirmed that Ha still works at Haverford, and when asked about similar rhetoric posted online by a professor who said October 7th was a “beautiful sight to wake up to,” she said that she was “very sorry that I had someone on the faculty who would espouse those views” but did not directly answer whether someone making those statements should be fired.
May 7th | 12:53 | Rana Rastegari
Congresswoman Hayley Stevens (R-Michigan) begins by stating that it was “nice to hear [Wendy Raymond] say zionists are welcome on campus… that is important to hear, that is impotant to say.”
She went on to say “maybe you’re going to say that anti-zionists are welcome aswell… while it might sound good to say that antizionism is not antisemitism, we haven’t yet really seen that exist.”
“We want be careful with embracing this modailty of thinking… which very quickly bleeds into antisemitism,” she states.
She recounts an incident where a student who was openly Jewish, but had never been to Israel, was attacked on his college campus. “We all have to ask ourselves why this is happening and we have to devote our time and energy to making sure it does not happen,” she urges.
She concludes with a final statement. “We need to see this war come to an end and Hamas needs to surrender.”
May 7th | 12:45 | Hannah Epstein
Representative Kevin Kiley (R-California) began his questioning of Raymond by asking about Professor Barak Mendelsohn, a particularly visible Haverford faculty member. He began by noting Mendelsohn’s identity as an “an Israeli professor,” and referencing Mendelsohn’s X posts which claim Haverford has a “Jewish problem” and there were students who were “Hamas apologists.”
Kiley asked Raymond if she thought “there [was] a reality reflected in his sentiments.”
“I think that Professor Mendelsohn has the right to express himself as he wishes,” Raymond began, saying that she “[did not] think” the posts were reflective of current campus environment.Kiley then inquired into whether or not Mendelsohn was investigated for allegations of misconduct, requesting that Raymond answered it in a “yes or no” format. Raymond refused to answer, saying that the school does not disclose investigations.
Kiley then asked about Chabad posters which were allegedly removed from campus. Raymond replied by saying that Haverford does “not tolerate any discrimination.”
“Was it the wind that caused these posters to come down?” Kiley asked.
Kiley went to onto ask about an “event specifically designed to counter antisemitism,” referencing an ADL event held last fall semester. “Apparently the only thing you had them do was write a letter of apology.”
Kiley went onto question Raymond about “donuts were going to be order[ed]” for a commencement event, claiming that a “a group of antisemitic students” protested the purchase of the donuts.
“We purchased and enjoyed the donuts,” Raymond replied.
Kiley also spoke in regards to the takeover of founders, asking Raymond about the actions taken.
“I had conversations with students when it came to a close,” Raymond replied. “When that disruption disrupted our campus activity, we closed that…”
May 7th | 12:39 | Rana Rastegari
Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-Minnesota) began her questioning by noting the arrests of Mahmoud Khalil, Mohsen Mahdawi, Rumeysa Oztürk and more who have been arrested by ICE for their role in pro-Palestinain protests. She outlined that Khalil was not criminally charged and agents lied about having a warrant for his arrests.
“Political protests, anti-war protests, pro-Palestinain protests. This is all protected speech under the First Ammendment, regardless of immigration status,” she continued to state that these arrests are a “clear violation of their rights and the hallmark of an authoritarian government.”
Congresswoman Omar also noted that nearly 40 years ago in Los Angeles, seven international students who were involved in pro-Palestinian protests were arrested. She asked Mr David Cole, Professor of Law and Public Policy at Georgetown University, to speak to this.
Mr Cole noted that, at the time, these students were cheaged with being “advocates of world communism”
Omar continued to say that all foreign nationals in the United States have the same First Ammendment rights, “and yet, this administration is targetting them for speaking out in ways that the administration disagrees with” which she noted is “contradictory to the core principles of the First Ammendment.”
She goes on to say that it is “easier for the adminsitration to target peoples right to free speech and assembly when they advocate for Palestine.” She asks Professor Cole “does it ever stop at the easy targets?”
He responds “no, it does not stop at the easy targets and you can again look back at McCarthyism.”
Chairman Walberg noted that Congresswoman Omar’s time had expired. She concluded by stating “those who don’t learn from history, repeat it.”
May 7th | 12:34 | Jessica Schott-Rosenfield
Representative Kiley questioned President Raymond regarding last Spring’s commencement when donuts were purchased from a purveyor who was known to support Israel. The purchase was boycotted by students Kiley called “a group of antisemites.” He asked, “Did you abide by that boycott?” To which Raymond responded, “we purchased and enjoyed those donuts.”
Kiley pushed back, asking if they were available to students. Raymond said yes, “they were available at commencement.”
May 7th | 12:23 | Hannah Epstein
Representative Mark Messmer (R-Indiana) began his questioning of Raymond by asking if she thought Haverford had an antisemitism problem.
“Representative, the impacts of what has happened at Haverford has been very concerning,” Raymond began. “Its been a troubling time for us.”
“How else would you describe [the] campus?” Messmer asked, denoting a testimony from a Jewish Haverford student who claimed that “multiple students refused to speak to [them]” after learning they were Jewish.
“They [Jewish Haverford students] felt safer in Israel,” Messmer continued, “a combat zone, than attending your school in the fall.”
Messmer asked if actions taken were going to be “more listening session and ad hoc committees,” as opposed to more hardline measures.
“What you read, Representative, pains me deeply,” Raymond answered. “Those experiences… are not experiences they should have on our campus. I commit to the work of this campus to making it a much more welcoming space.”
Messmer replied by asking if “protest calling for genocide of Jews is a violation of [school policy].”
“Such calls are horrific and absolutely not acceptable,” Raymond said. She noted that “no such calls have been made at Haverford college”
Messmer continued by asking “what discipline” would be initiated if students were to violate campus policy.
Raymond did not offer specific outlines, instead saying it would be”what that process would eventually call for.”
May 7th | 12:20 | Jessica Schott-Rosenfield
Congressman Owens began his questioning with the statement that “our institutions have become a feeding ground for Marxists.” He stated that “young people are being taught to hate America and hate Israel, ” and further asserted, “the KKK would love the environment we have created at our colleges.”
He questioned President Raymond on the social honor code, reading out sections and pausing to say that he has “no idea” what “ableism” is. “Who made this code?” he asked.
Raymond replied, “our honor code … is written by students and approved by students.” Ownes interrupted her to say that “it sounds like it.” Quoting the Code’s section on anti-racism and white privilege, he asked “Are Jewish people considered white-privileged?”
Raymond responded with her standby answer: “We do not tolerate discrimination at Haverford College.” She further noted that the college is in the process of revising and updating the Code.
Owens concluded his questioning by suggesting to Raymond that she put someones who’s an adult in charge of the updates. A student in Stokes Auditorium watching the hearing retorted, “students are adults.”
May 7th | 12:11 | Hannah Epstein
Representative Rick Allen (R-Georgia) began an opening statement by saying that Jerusalem is the center of the world, saying that antisemitism has “eternal consequences.”
He turned to Raymond to question her on the faculty involved in organization Faculty, Staff for Justice in Palestine (FSJP) and what actions, if any, had been taken against the group.
Allen cited Instagram posts which used the terminology “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” asking Raymond whether if she were a Jewish student, would she feel “comfortable.”
“Representative,” she said, “we are committed to supporting our entire Jewish committee. we are proud of [this support]… [we] take very seriously, and it must be done well”
May 7th | 12:09 | Jessica Schott-Rosenfield
Congresswoman Foxx questioned President Raymond, beginning by quoting Professor Ha at Haverford, who reportedly said that Zionism and Zionist students should not be engaged with.
“Do you believe there is a distinction between anti-Zionism and antisemitism?” Foxx asked Raymond, to which she responded: “I want to say that we support all of our Zionist students, faculty, and staff at Haverford.”
“Do you believe that anti-Zionism is more acceptable than antisemitism?” Foxx asked, following up by asking whether anti-Zionism is permissible at Haverford.
“There is room for criticizing the government of any nation,” President Raymond said.
Foxx continued her line of questioning by asking whether Raymond believe, like some anti-Zionists, that Israel “should not exist.”
“Pardon me, that’s not at all what I said or what I meant,” Raymond responded.
Foxx asked, if Raymond believes that Professor Ha’s statements about Zionism are a violation of Title VI. She responded “we do not tolerate discrimination … or bias at Haverford College.”
May 7th | 12:02 | Rana Rastegari
Congressman Casar (D-Texas) begins by stating that President Donald Trump called a group of white supremacist protestors “very fine people on both sides.” He asked the commitee to raise their hand if they condemned this statement. No one raised their hand.
He continued to ask if anyone would condemn the spread of antisemitic conspiracy theories by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. No one raised their hand.
Chairman Walberg urges Congressman Casar to direct his questions to the witnesses. Casar turns his questions to Walberg instead, and asks “would you condemn Donald Trump for pradoning an antisemitic rioter?”
Chairman Walberg pauses before responding “I see four witnesses waiting for your questions.” Casar repeats his questions and Walberg urges him to yield time to the witneses.
“So clearly, no one here condemns antisemitism,” Casar continues passionately. “If [memebrs of the committee] want to fight antisemitism, maybe they should stop apologizing for and promoting antisemites… They should stop grovelling to the most most antisemitic president in American history.”
May 7th | 12:01 | Hannah Epstein
While being questioned by Virginia Foxx (R-North Carolina,” President Raymond says there is “room for criticizing the government of Israel,” not offering a definitive answer on whether anti-Zionism constitutes antisemitism.
May 7th | 11:51 | Jessica Schott-Rosenfield
Congresswoman Hayes’ questions began by first condemning the hearing as an ineffective method of addressing antisemitism, and noting that several of her colleagues on the committee “only show up for these hearings.”
“No real action has been done,” she said.
She likened the property damage caused by encampments mentioned by Republican congress members to the 2 billion dollars of property damage amassed by the events of January 6th.
She further noted that “some of the actions taken by this committee have targeted students and made them unsafe on college campuses.”
She asked President Raymond, “Are you prioritizing the physical safety of students today?”
“Yes,” President Raymond responded, saying safety was a top priority at Haverford.
“Have you raised awareness… for anti-discrimination programs,” Hayes asked.
“Yes,” she responded.
May 7th | 11:50 | Rana Rastegari
Congresswoman McClain (R-Michigan) continues questioning President Manuel about the encampment at DePaul. She states that he urged memebrs of the DePaul community to avoid the encampment.
“It took you 6 days to coordinate an effort to remove the encampment” she continues,”I dont think the issue is more policies, I think the issue is action.”
Dr Manuel states “I agree with you that we need to do better.”
McClain asks if Dr Maneul would also agree that almost 3 weeks is too long of a wait before disbanding an encamptment. Manuel states that he does.
Congresswoman McClain continues to challenge Dr Manuel ans asks “who has been fired? Who has been replaced? What consequences happened?”
Dr Manuel responds “we have done signifcant review, we have learned from this.”
Before her time ended, McClain asked “was anyone held accountable other than Michael and his friend who sustained a concussion and a broken wrist? If there is another encampemnt, are you taking it down the next day?”
May 7th | 11:41 | Jessica Schott-Rosenfield
Congresswoman McClain of Michigan questioned President Manuel about the encampment at DePaul.
She described “physical assault” against a Jewish student perpetrated after October 7, and a “pro-Hamas mob” which occupied the campus. She repeatedly asked why the college took so long to disassemble the encampment.
“Our immediate instinct was to work with our students,” Manuel said, to which McClain asked , “And how did that turn out?”
“Not well,” Manuel said, and apologized.
“Your apologies are a little hollow,” McClain admonished.
May 7th | 11:36 | Hannah Epstein
Lucy McBath (D-Georgia) Delivers Statement, Condemns Republicans”I know what its like to be attacked on who you are,” McBath begin her quote, noting her son who was killed in a racially motivated attack.
“House republicans are more motivated on going viral on social media,” McBath said, as opposed to “instead of taking real steps.” She denoted the contradictions of the Republican actions, saying that “the majority [on the committee] have chosen to…. pause funding meant to protect synagogues”
“They have pardoned and defended the actions of… antisemitism,” ending her statement by saying that “fighting antisemitism should not be used as a political tool.”
May 7th | 11:36 | Jessica Schott-Rosenfield
Congresswoman McBath is giving her statement, beginning by thanking the students watching.
“Antisemitism remains a growing threat on college campuses … but the actions taken by the current administration seem to be more motivated by going viral.”
She says that rather than taking real steps to address antisemitism, the current administration has cut funding for synagogues and federal offices which are tasked with doing the work of addressing antisemitism.
“Any attempt to explain away one of the oldest forms of ethnic and religious hatred solely for political gain is truly a disservice to the American people,” she said.
May 7th | 11:32 | Rana Rastegari
Congresswoman Stefanik (R-New York) begins her line of questioning by asking President Wendy Raymond “Is calling for the genocide of Jews protected speech on your camous?” to which Raymond responds, “no, of course not.”
Stefanik goes on to ask what action would be taken if such a statement were made at Haverford. Ryamond states “there have been no such calls… all disciplinary actions would be taken against it.”
Stefanik claims that was a student group on campus who “called for the complete dismantling” of Israel “by all means necessary.” Raymond states that she will “not defend that statement.”
Stefanik challenges Raymond, asking what disciplinary action was taken against that group, if any were taken. “you were the one university president who failed to lay out if any disciplinary action or suspensions had taken place,” Stefanik notes.
Raymond reiterates her previous statement that she will “not be talking about individual cases” which Stefanik continues to challenge. Raymond finalizes that some cases of disciplinary action or suspensions had taken place.
Stefanik mentiones that a Professor of Mathematics and Statistics posted a statement that charachterises the October 7 as people “breaking free from their chains.” Stefanik alleges that Raymond said this statement “could be percieved in many ways.”
“Were there any disciplinary actions taken against him?” Stefanik asks. Raymond responds by stating that “such posts have been incredibly harmful to our entire community and I disavow them.”
Stefanik asks again if there was there any investigation of the professor and Wendy reiterates “respectfully, I will not be talking about individual cases.”
As tensions between the two speakers continue to rise, Stefanik responds “respectfully, many people have said this who are no longer presidents of universities.”
She raises another question about a report which stated “Jewish prospectve students should not expect to feel safe but should expect to be brave” at Haverford. Raymond finalizes that ” the report does not reflect the administrators I know who stand strongly with me against antisemitism.”
May 7th | 11:30 | Jessica Schott-Rosenfield
Congresswoman Miller is questioning President Manuel about the encampment at DePaul University.
President Manuel confirmed that two student groups were suspended for their conduct at the encampment, and two people were arrested, “one of whom, I believe, was a student.”
Miller disparaged Manuel’s ability to suspend “only two student [groups.]”
“For 500,000 dollars worth of damage in seventeen days,” Miller said, “You got two.”
May 7th | 11:26 | Hannah Epstein
President Raymond has chosen to not outline specific investigations into faculty or students, including disciplinary actions taken against the students whose actions may have violated school policy.
Alma Adams (D-North Carolina) questions Raymond on the policies of inclusion at Haverford, offering a brief respite in the intense questioning period.
“Inclusion work at Haverford is just that, we are committed to supporting all students,” Raymond noted. “Three Jewish student groups on the campus who are very active, all those come under the arc of inclusion and belonging”
May 7th | 11:26 | Jessica Schott-Rosenfield
Congresswoman Stefanik stated in her closing remark, “Haverford still doesn’t get it.”
May 7th | 11:23 | Jessica Schott-Rosenfield
A Haverford student present at the hearing tells the Bi-Co News that after hearing Congresswoman Stefanik’s questions, Congressman Takano “slammed down his paper and stormed out.”
May 7th | 11:21 | Jessica Schott-Rosenfield
Congresswoman Stefanik has called Haverford’s address of accusations of antisemitism “unacceptable” in comparison to the other institutions represented at the hearing. She stated that while the other Presidents’ statements outlined specific steps taken to prevent antisemitism and specific disciplinary measures in particular, Haverford has not.
May 7th | 11:18 | Jessica Schott-Rosenfield
Congresswoman Stefanik has begun her questioning of President Raymond harshly, asking repeatedly for confirmation that disciplinary actions have been taken against students who reportedly called for the “genocide of Jews.”
“I will not be talking about individual cases here,” Raymond said.
May 7th | 11:15 | Jessica Schott-Rosenfield
Mr. Cole has asserted strongly, in response to Congressman Takano’s questions, that not only does he believe the government should not have sway in choosing university faculty, “the Supreme Court believes that.”
May 7th | 11:14 | Rana Rastegari
Congressman Takano (D-California) states “I condem antisemitism unequivocally, I condem Islamophobia unequivocally… universities must set that principle.”
He states “the concern over this committee over antisemitism seems to be hollow and empty becuase they are not actually concerned with how to to adjudicate claims of antisemism.”
May 7th | 11:13 | Jessica Schott-Rosenfield
Congressman Takano has emphasized, in a question to Mr. Cole, that there are already federal offices tasked with addressing Title VI issues. He asked Cole what office is responsible, to which Cole responded, “the Office of Civil rights of the Department of Education.”
May 7th | 11:11 | Hannah Epstein
Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) Questions RaymondJoe Wilson opened his statement with a disparaging comment regarding SJP student organizations, saying that the phrases “free Palestine, [and from the] river to the sea [are] code[s],” and that “anti-Zionism is antisemitism.”
He then turned his questioning to Raymond, alleging that when a Jewish student approached her in 2020 about an antisemitic incident Raymond responded by “[giving] him a book” centered on Buddhist ideology. Raymond, according to Wilson, told the student to let the incident “wash over them.”
In response to this allegation, Raymond said that “our Jewish students and Jewish community are highly valued at Haverford and have been highly valued at Haverford for a long time.”
May 7th | 11:10 | Jessica Schott-Rosenfield
Congressman Wilson has asked President Raymond about an incident in 2020 when she met with a student about their experiences of antisemitism, accusing Raymond of telling the student, essentially, to simply accept the treatment.
President Raymond reiterated in response her commitment to keeping students safe, and did not address the specific accusations regarding the 2020 conversation, which is not known to have taken place.
May 7th | 11:04 | Hannah Epstein
President Raymond says certain chants are antisemitic, implies they may violate campus policy.
May 7th | 11:04 |Jessica Schott-Rosenfield
Congresswoman Bonamici spoke, and harshly condemned the committee’s holding these hearings.
She highlighted antisemitism coming from within the current administration. “Let’s denounce and condemn all instances of antisemitism,” she said.
May 7th | 10:59 | Rana Rastegari
“There is no place for that, ever, anywhere,” Wendy Raymond states when asked by Chairman Walberg about a post made by Faculty for Justice in Palestine which praised “a terrorist attack against Israel.”
She states that the use of the term “intifada” is not acceptable at Haverford and consitutes as antisemitic speech.
May 7th | 10:58 | Jessica Schott-Rosenfield
President Raymond has been asked about FSJP’s praise of a Palestinian woman who is known for hijacking a plane in the 70s.
“Does praising the murder of Jews constitute a violation of Haverford’s policies?” the Chairman asked.
“Of course it does. There is no place for that anywhere,” President Raymond responded.
May 7th | 10:55 | Jessica Schott-Rosenfield
Chairman Walberg has asked how many students have been expelled as a result of investigations — President Raymond responded that Haverford does not publicize those numbers, to which Chairman Walberg responded that he would assume the number was “none.”
May 7th | 10:53 | Rana Rastegari
Dr. Jeffrey Armstrong, President of California Polytechnic State University (San Luis Obispo), has made his opening statements. He highlightes that they will continue to “strongly confront” antisemitism at California Polytechnic State University.
May 7th | 10:52 | Jessica Schott-Rosenfield
Mr. David Cole, Esq., George J. Mitchell Professor in Law and Public Policy, Georgetown University Law Center, and former National Legal Director, American Civil Liberties Union has given his opening statement, condemning the prevention of free speech by government officials in the guise of protecting communities against hate speech. “The greater danger is giving government officials the power to label speech … as racist or sexist,” he said.
He emphasized the necessity of nuance in cases in which students have been accused of antisemitic acts, and highlighted that Title VI is only violated when harassment is targeted at a student because of “his Jewish identity … not because he supports Israel.”
Mr. Cole made strong statements against the committee’s actions, likening the hearing to one held by the House on American Activities Committee. After going over his five minute time limit, Chairman Walberg allowed a final few words.
May 7th | 10:44 | Jessica Schott-Rosenfield
Dr. Robert Manuel, president of DePaul University, has made his opening statement, outlining the steps his institution has made to address issues of antisemitism, including the formation of a special task force.
“We are focused on continuing to make real progress and take action,” he said in closing.
May 7th | 10:41 | Hannah Epstein
Wendy Raymond delivers opening remarks.
May 7th | 10:40 | Rana Rastegari
Outside the room where the hearing is taking place, a protestor states that Jewish people have been arrested for “protesting the genocide in Gaza,” and that “antisemitism is the new excuse” for the genocide. She was filmed by several people and escorted out.
May 7th | 10:40 | Jessica Schott-Rosenfield
“I recognize that we haven’t always succeeded in living up to our ideals,” Raymond said in her opening statement.
Addressing the Haverford community, she said, “You are the ones pushing us to be better. I hear you, and acknowledge that we can do better.”
To Jewish students at Haverford, she reiterated, “I wish to make it unmistakeably clear that you are valued members in our community … I am sorry that I have let you down.”
May 7th | 10:37 | Jessica Schott-Rosenfield
President Raymond has begun her testimony.
“Before I begin, I want to make it clear that Haverford College condemns antisemitism in all its forms,” she said.
In Stokes Auditorium, where Haverford students have gathered to watch the livestream of the hearing, students applaud Raymond’s introduction to the national stage.
May 7th | 10:33 | Jessica Schott-Rosenfield
Mr. Scott, ranking member of the committee, is speaking on his perspective regarding the hearings, and the backlash against campus leadership.
“We hope we can have a productive conversation today,” he says. “Hopefully one day we will begin having a hearing on solutions rather than continuing to complain about the problem.”
May 7th | 10:28 | Jessica Schott-Rosenfield
Chairman Walberg began the hearing by reading out a letter from the Bi-Co Chabad house, outlining the feelings of Jewish students who have experienced ostracization from their peers. He listed the events on Haverford’s campus which have led to the hearing, particularly the encampment which was put up in the spring of 2024.
