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DOJ to head task force to combat anti-Semitism; college campuses first priority

'Resident aliens' put on notice that they will be deported if they express support for Hamas.

By Allen Cone
Pro-Palestinian protesters gather in front of the Amsterdam entrance of Columbia University in New York City on April 30. President Donald Trump on Monday said that he wants to "quickly cancel the student visas of all Hamas sympathizers on college campuses." File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
Pro-Palestinian protesters gather in front of the Amsterdam entrance of Columbia University in New York City on April 30. President Donald Trump on Monday said that he wants to "quickly cancel the student visas of all Hamas sympathizers on college campuses." File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

Feb. 3 (UPI) -- The U.S. Justice Department on Monday announced the formation of a multi-agency task force to combat anti-Semitism, with the "first priority" addressing harassment on college campuses.

The announcement follows an executive order Wednesday by President Donald Trump on additional measures to fight anti-Semitism at schools. Trump wants to direct federal resources to combat the incidents on campuses and to call for federal executive agencies to report criminal and civil actions to the White House within 60 days.

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"The Task Force's first priority will be to root out anti-Semitic harassment in schools and on college campuses," the DOJ said in a news release.

The task force will include representatives with the Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and "other agencies as it develops."

It will be coordinated through the DOJ's Civil Rights Division.

"Anti-Semitism in any environment is repugnant to this nation's ideals," said Leo Terrell, senior counsel to the assistant attorney general for civil rights Leo Terrell, who will head the task force.

"The Department takes seriously our responsibility to eradicate this hatred wherever it is found. The Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism is the first step in giving life to President Trump's renewed commitment to ending anti-Semitism in our schools."

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Anti-Semitic incidents in the United States have surged to a record high since Israel's war against Hamas militants.

The Anti-Defamation League issued a report one day before the one year anniversary of the start of the war Oct. 7 after Israel was attacked by Hamas.

ADL said received more than 10,000 reports of U.S.-based anti-Semitic incidents between Oct. 7, 2023, and Sept. 24. That is a 200% increase in one year and the most incidents since the ADL began tracking them in 1979.

"These attacks unleashed an unprecedented wave of vile anti-Semitic discrimination, vandalism, and violence against our citizens, especially in our schools and on our campuses," Trump's order reads.

"Jewish students have faced an unrelenting barrage of discrimination; denial of access to campus common areas and facilities, including libraries and classrooms; and intimidation, harassment, and physical threats and assault."

Trump wants to punish Hamas sympathizers.

"To all the resident aliens who joined in the pro-jihadist protests, we put you on notice: Come 2025, we will find you, and we will deport you," he said in a fact sheet. "I will also quickly cancel the student visas of all Hamas sympathizers on college campuses, which have been infested with radicalism like never before,."

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During his first term as president, Trump signed an executive order combating anti-Semitism, "finding that students, in particular, faced anti-Semitic harassment in schools and on university and college campuses."

Former President Joe Biden's administration effectively nullified the order.

People who have been discriminated against can file a complaint with the Civil Rights Division.

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