New antisemitism probe of Berkeley Unified announced by congressional committee

"Pressure over antisemitism allegations against the Berkeley school system intensified Monday with the launch of what members of Congress called a "nationwide investigation of antisemitism in K-12 schools." The first three districts to fall under scrutiny of the House Committee on Education and Workforce are the Berkeley Unified School District, Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia and the School District of Philadelphia."

""The Committee is deeply concerned" that Berkeley Unified is "failing to uphold its obligations" to "end any harassment, eliminate any hostile environment and its effects and prevent any harassment from recurring." In a letter sent Monday to Berkeley Unified, the committee cited "numerous press and whistleblower reports" alleging that since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack against Israel, "Jewish and Israeli students have allegedly been regularly bullied and harassed.""

"Letters to the three school districts were signed by Committee Chair Tim Walberg (R-Mich). The letter to Berkeley Unified also was signed by Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee Chair Kevin Kiley (R-Rocklin). In addition to recounting allegations, the letters seek information, including: A chart of all complaints made against students, faculty or staff related to potential antisemitic incidents. All documents relating to walkouts, demonstrations, toolkits, workshops, curricula, course materials, speakers and more referring to Jews, Judaism, Israel, Pale"

A House committee opened a federal investigation into alleged antisemitism in K-12 schools, naming Berkeley Unified, Fairfax County Public Schools and the School District of Philadelphia. The committee expressed concern that Berkeley Unified is failing to end harassment, eliminate hostile environments and prevent recurrence. The committee cited press and whistleblower reports alleging that since Oct. 7, 2023, Jewish and Israeli students have been regularly bullied and harassed. Letters signed by Committee Chair Tim Walberg and Subcommittee Chair Kevin Kiley requested complaint charts and documents related to walkouts, demonstrations, curricula, speakers and materials referencing Jews, Judaism and Israel. The federal government has threatened fines and funding cuts to combat antisemitism.

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