On Holocaust Remembrance Day, the Biden-Harris Administration announced a slate of new measures to combat the rise of Antisemitism on college campuses and within Jewish communities, reflecting a commitment to the post-Holocaust declaration: Never Again. In a statement obtained by the White House, various steps, including guidance from the Department of Education (ED) and increased cooperation with technology companies, were unveiled to strengthen protections against such discrimination and hate.
The move comes in the wake of shocking attacks by Hamas on Israel on October 7th—marked as the deadliest day for Jewish people since the historic tragedy of the Holocaust. These events have since sparked a concerning uptick in Antisemitic incidents, including violent outbursts on college campuses nationwide. As whitehouse.gov reports, these initiatives are a continuation of the President’s National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, the first of its kind, which involves actions from multiple federal departments.
Concrete steps taken by the administration include over 100 investigations into claims of discrimination based on shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics—including Antisemitism—by the ED's Office for Civil Rights (OCR), an increase from just 27 under the previous administration. An array of resources, from online safety guides to comprehensive hate crime training, has been rolled out, aiming to empower Jewish institutions and enhance campus safety. Moreover, the Anti-Defamation League, among other Jewish advocacy organizations, has lauded these efforts.
As part of these enhanced safeguards, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is developing an online campus safety resources guide to centralize educational and financial assistance. The guide aims to create an easy-to-navigate platform for campus communities, offering streamlined access to necessary tools and support for combating hate-based threats and violence. Furthermore, an additional $400 million has been secured under the Biden Administration for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to bolster the security infrastructure for nonprofit entities and houses of worship, a critical measure to support the safety of Jewish institutions.
These strategies are not just responsive but proactive; engaging technology firms to address online Antisemitism and building partnerships with law enforcement for heightened campus security. Through the office of the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, the State Department is convening tech leaders to identify and mitigate Antisemitic content on digital platforms. This multi-layered approach underscores the administration's commitment to a world in which educational spaces and religious freedoms are respected and protected, and where the words "Never Again" serve as an unwavering American promise.
