Agudath Israel of America, an over 100-year-old organization representing American Orthodox Jewry, is disappointed that Harvard University has chosen to sue the Trump administration rather than address – or, according to media reports, even discuss – requests by the federal government that Harvard make significant reforms to rectify the endemic antisemitism that has been allowed to fester on its campuses.

In its annual Audit of Antisemitic Incidents: 2024, released on Tuesday, the ADL (Anti-Defamation League) reported that incidents on college and university campuses rose more steeply than in any other location, climbing 84% over the prior year. Indeed, Agudath Israel of America has fielded complaints from students nationwide as campuses have descended into dangerous, anarchic cesspools of Jew-hatred since October 7th. Several lawsuits by Jewish students and federal Title VI investigations are outstanding against Harvard specifically.

This dire situation requires stiff interventions.

But instead of working with federal regulators to correct the situation, as Columbia University and other colleges recently and correctly have done, Harvard chose to fight the administration wholesale. This approach benefits no one. Federal funding will be tied up, research will be halted, and Jewish students will remain less protected as the case wends its way through the courts.

Agudath Israel understands that Harvard asserts that it is taking steps to curb its antisemitism problem, a problem it acknowledges. We applaud any such progress. Agudath Israel also appreciates that the venerable institution values its independence from what it perceives as government overreach. Both such assertions would be more compelling had Harvard exhibited the same alacrity, gusto, and initiative in combating the antisemitism it directly allowed as it now does in battling the government.

Agudath Israel thanks the administration for its moral clarity and principled stance combating antisemitism.

It is our sincere hope that America’s universities retain the humility to do the same.