In recent months, House Republicans have been calling university leaders to testify on Capitol Hill regarding allegations of antisemitism on college campuses, with students pushing for institutions to divest from Israel during its conflict with Hamas. The hearings are aimed at addressing reports of Jewish students facing harassment on and around campus solely based on their religion.
The hearings have led to resignations from university leaders and ongoing attention to campus protests. However, they have also become a political tool for the GOP to highlight divisions within the Democratic party and draw attention to the issue of antisemitism on college campuses.
During the latest hearing, GOP members criticized the leaders of Northwestern and Rutgers for negotiating with protesters and chastised the UCLA chancellor for not acting promptly with the police. Democratic Congressman Bobby Scott expressed frustration over the focus on complaining about antisemitism without working towards a meaningful solution to address the issue.
Despite some heated exchanges, the university heads appeared to have learned from previous hearings. They acknowledged mistakes and committed to investigating allegations of antisemitic speech and harassment on their campuses. The GOP’s strategy of using these hearings as a political tool has been attributed to their push for fundraising and campaign efforts.
‘This is a political gift for Republicans’
Former Republican National Committee communications director Doug Heye noted that the unrest on college campuses has provided Republicans with an additional talking point to portray the Biden administration and Democrats as a party associated with chaos. The hearings have allowed Republicans to campaign to Jewish voters in a new way and align with their larger narrative of chaos within the Democratic party.
Elise Stefanik, a prominent House GOP member, has seen a significant increase in fundraising after interrogating college presidents during the hearings. Her political arm raised a record $7 million in the first quarter of 2024. The hearings are part of a broader approach by House Republicans to force Democrats to publicly address divisive issues such as support for Israel and defining antisemitism.
Democrats downplay the threat
Democratic strategist Kristen Hawn believes that the GOP hearings on antisemitism don’t sway Democratic voters significantly. She argues that issues like healthcare, abortion, and the economy are more likely to influence voter decisions. Hawn also points out the hypocrisy of Republicans claiming to combat antisemitism while overlooking past instances where the party leader failed to condemn white supremacists.
Despite the upcoming summer break leading to fewer students on campus, the House committee investigating antisemitism promises to continue its efforts uninterrupted.