On Tuesday evening, the U.S. Department of Education, Department of Health and Human Services, and General Services Administration jointly announced an investigation into anti-Semitic activities at the University of Washington and its affiliated institutions. The announcement came after around 30 pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested at the university’s Seattle campus the previous day.
On Monday afternoon at the University of Washington’s Seattle campus, pro-Palestinian protesters occupied an engineering building, demanding the university sever ties with Boeing.
Boeing has donated over $100 million to the University of Washington, with $10 million specifically allocated for the construction of the engineering building. The company is also a key supplier to the Israeli Defense Forces.
The protesters demanded the university return all donations from Boeing and end the company’s influence on the school.
In a statement, the university disclosed that demonstrators in black clothing barricaded the building’s main entrance with furniture and blocked nearby roads with trash cans. The occupation lasted for several hours, resulting in the arrest of approximately 30 individuals by law enforcement.
The individuals involved face charges of trespassing, property damage, and disturbing public order, with the case being handed over to the King County Prosecutor’s Office.
University of Washington spokesperson Victor Balta stated in a release that the campus, in collaboration with the Seattle police, cleared the building around 10:30 p.m. that evening.
The statement strongly condemned the unlawful occupation of the building, asserting that the school will not be intimidated by such aggressive and destructive behavior, vowing to continue to oppose all forms of anti-Semitism.
The U.S. Department of Education issued a statement on Tuesday indicating an investigation into the campus anti-Semitic activities.
The statement read: “The Working Group Against Anti-Semitism welcomes the university’s condemnation of last night’s violent acts and commends law enforcement for promptly removing violent criminals from the campus. But this is just the first step; the University of Washington must take additional measures to curb potential future violence and ensure that Jewish students have a safe and productive learning environment.”
Education Secretary Linda McMahon stated in a press release, “The violence and chaos on the University of Washington campus is another shocking manifestation of anti-Semitic harassment and lawlessness on elite college campuses in our country in recent years. This destructive behavior is unacceptable.”
“The Special Investigative team will not allow these so-called ‘protesters’ to disrupt campus life, depriving students—especially Jewish students living in fear—of equal protected opportunities and civil rights,” McMahon added.
President Trump had previously warned in early March that any universities allowing illegal anti-Semitic protests would lose federal funding.
On March 4, President Trump posted on Truth Social, “Instigators will be imprisoned or permanently repatriated. American students involved will be permanently expelled or arrested based on their crimes.”
The University of Washington is one of 60 colleges at risk of losing federal funds due to their failure to take more measures to protect Jewish students from discrimination on campus.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas militants from Palestine crossed into southern Israel, launched a terrorist attack, resulting in the deaths of about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the abduction of 251 individuals to Gaza. This terrorist attack triggered the Hamas-Israel war.
Israeli government data indicates that Hamas still holds 59 Israeli hostages, with 24 believed to be alive.
(Adapted from reports by The Associated Press)