Staff Reports
The Biden administration is facing criticism for its handling of antisemitism and pro-Hamas protests on college campuses. Reports have emerged about Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona and White House Domestic Policy Adviser Neera Tanden inviting groups aligned with the far-left, anti-Israel, anti-Zionist group known as IfNotNow to a meeting. This decision led to “several mainstream Jewish groups” pulling out of the meeting, according to Jewish Insider.
Department of Education's Move Forces Jewish Groups to Pull Out of Meeting
https://t.co/q9TMOWOh1w— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) May 8, 2024
The inclusion of IfNotNow, along with a similarly radical group, Jewish Voices for Peace, under a group called The Diaspora Alliance raised concerns among other Jewish organizations. The Diaspora Alliance opposes the use of the IHRA definition of antisemitism, which has been endorsed by the Education Department. Many participating organizations were not aware of The Diaspora Alliance before the meeting.
The groups that pulled out of the meeting were frustrated to see the inclusion of progressive organizations that oppose the IHRA definition of antisemitism, as well as The Diaspora Alliance, which has ties to IfNotNow and Jewish Voices for Peace. This move by the Department of Education was organized without notifying the White House of the attendees. Tanden conveyed in the meeting that fighting antisemitism is a top priority for the White House.
The involvement of IfNotNow and Jewish Voices for Peace in the meeting and their support for pro-Hamas protests on college campuses has raised concerns. These groups have been criticized for their illegal protests in support of a ceasefire and their ties to leftist ideology. Additionally, Secretary Cardona faced scrutiny in February for declining to say if the pro-genocidal phrase “From the River to the Sea” was antisemitic.
Overall, the Biden administration’s handling of the issue of antisemitism and pro-Hamas protests on college campuses has sparked controversy and criticism from conservative voices.
