California, March 7, (V7N) - The U.S. Department of Justice launched a civil rights investigation into the University of California system on Wednesday, following allegations of an antisemitic work environment across its campuses. The inquiry will focus on whether there was a "pattern or practice of discrimination" against Jewish professors and staff, particularly in the aftermath of student protests last year regarding the Israel-Hamas War.

This investigation is part of a broader effort by President Donald Trump’s administration and other conservative leaders to examine how universities have responded to protests targeting U.S. support for Israel. The Department of Justice’s investigation follows an announcement earlier this week that it would review Columbia University’s federal contracts over similar allegations of antisemitism.

Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized the department's commitment to defending Jewish Americans and eradicating institutional antisemitism at universities across the country.

The University of California has been notified of the investigation and stated that it remains committed to combating antisemitism and safeguarding civil rights. The protests, which erupted last spring at several UC campuses, called for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict and urged universities to divest from Israeli firms linked to the war.

The investigation, under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, will examine the impact of these protests on campus staff and whether any employment discrimination occurred, particularly against Jewish faculty and staff members.

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