Jewish Groups Cancel Meeting with Education Department Over Unexpected Attendees

Several Jewish organizations decided to opt out of a scheduled meeting with the Department of Education due to the last-minute inclusion of certain left-wing groups.

Planned discussions on antisemitism at college campuses were disrupted as major Jewish groups withdrew from a Department of Education meeting, as Fox News reports.

The meeting, originally set to convene at 10 a.m. on Friday, included prominent figures such as Education Secretary Miguel Cardona and White House Domestic Policy Adviser Neera Tanden. It aimed to address rising concerns about antisemitism on college campuses.

Surprise Additions Lead to Abrupt Withdrawals

Just 20 minutes before the meeting, the final list of attendees was disclosed, revealing the inclusion of far-left groups. These groups, notably the Diaspora Alliance, were not typically involved in such governmental discussions, prompting significant concern among traditional participants.

Several leading Jewish organizations, including the Anti-Defamation League, Hillel International, and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, immediately withdrew from the meeting. Their departure was driven by objections to the Diaspora Alliance's ties with IfNotNow, a group known for its critical stance against Israel.

Background of Involved Organizations and Their Stances

IfNotNow has been in the spotlight for supporting student protests at institutions like Columbia University, where demonstrations have voiced solidarity with Palestinians. The inclusion of a group aligned with such causes in discussions about antisemitism on campuses was seen as incongruous by the withdrawing organizations.

This meeting had been a response to a request from Jewish groups, including the National Council of Jewish Women and the conservative Rabbinical Assembly, who had expressed concerns about antisemitism linked to anti-Israel demonstrations on campuses.

Focused Afternoon Discussions with Senior Officials

In the wake of the morning's disruptions, an alternative meeting was organized in the afternoon. This session included other senior officials and aimed to directly address the concerns raised by the organizations that had opted out of the morning meeting.

During this session, representatives from the Jewish organizations expressed their frustrations with the Department's previous lack of action against campus antisemitism. They highlighted the necessity for specific governmental actions and effective enforcement mechanisms.

Official Statements Reflect Deep Concerns

A joint statement from the concerned Jewish organizations emphasized the urgent need to protect Jewish students. "We directly raised our urgent concerns surrounding the current climate of antisemitism on campus and the lack thus far of effective response," the statement detailed.

They called on the Department of Education to specify follow-up actions and to clarify enforcement policies following recent statements by President Biden addressing the issue.

Reactions to the Inclusion of Left-Wing Groups

The inclusion of groups opposing the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism was particularly frustrating for mainstream Jewish organizations. This definition is widely accepted as a standard for identifying and combating antisemitism.

IfNotNow's stance, as articulated on their website, describes solidarity with Palestinians against what they term a "genocide," implicating the U.S. and various universities. This has further inflamed tensions between the groups with diverging views on Israel and Palestine.

Immediate and Broader Implications of Meeting Fallout

The fallout from the morning meeting highlights the complex dynamics at play when discussing antisemitism in the context of broader geopolitical tensions. It underscores the challenges faced by educational institutions in navigating these issues amidst diverse and often conflicting viewpoints.

The events of the day reflect a broader debate over the definition and scope of antisemitism, particularly in educational settings where young minds are shaped.