UC Berkeley provides Trump administration list of 160 names in US Department of Education antisemitism investigation

BERKELEY, Calif. (KGO) — In the East Bay, UC Berkeley is providing the Trump administration with the names of more than 100 students, faculty and staff, about their potential connection to reports of alleged antisemitism on campus. The investigation by U.S. Department of Education and office of Civil Rights is one of many federal probes targeting universities across the country.

“I think I was a bit startled by it, somewhat flummoxed,” said Daniel Solomon.

UC Berkeley graduate student Daniel Solomon said he was surprised recently when he got this email from the university’s office of legal affairs, which said in part: “Your name was included in reports as part of the documents provided by the office of general council (OGC) to the office of civil rights (OCR) for its investigation. These documents contained information about reports or responses related to alleged antisemitic incidents.”

“I think I was part of the email list, because I have been a vocal opponent of what I call the ‘Campus Antisemitic Movement,’ which is called the ‘Palestine Solidarity Movement,’ so I imagine some of that landed on the radar of investigators,” Solomon said.

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In an attempt to comply with an investigation into alleged campus antisemitism by the Department of Education and Office of Civil Rights, UC Berkeley released the names of about 160 students, staff and faculty and their potential connection to reports of antisemitism.

I’m a statement, a university spokesperson said: “Last week, we issued notices to individuals whose names were included in the documents. We are committed to transparency and supporting our campus community while complying with federal investigations.”

The Trump administration believes school officials nationwide are doing little to stop discrimination against Jewish students.

UC Berkeley Students for Justice in Palestine took to Instagram this week, posting: “It is obvious that the department of education and UC Berkeley are using the very office meant to protect civil rights as a trojan horse to silence anyone who condemns the genocide of the Palestinian people.”

MORE: UC Berkeley chancellor testifies in front of House committee over antisemitism

The Bay Area chapter of the American Jewish Committee says all students have the right to feel safe on campus.

“AJC research has shown 40% of American Jews 18 to 29 have been the target of antisemitism in the last year, and moreover college students, 35% of them report experiencing antisemitism at least one time on a college campus,” said Seth Brysk from American Jewish Committee.

It’s unclear where the federal probe will go, and what consequences it may bring.