Top university presidents faced tough questioning from lawmakers during a House education committee hearing on Tuesday, as they defended their responses to antisemitism on their campuses in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war. The presidents of Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, and MIT testified, acknowledging the alarming rise in antisemitism at their respective institutions since the recent conflict.

Claudine Gay, the president of Harvard, addressed the concerns raised by prominent donors, alumni, members of Congress, and her predecessor regarding Harvard's response to antisemitism and protests against Israel. She acknowledged the difficult task of combating hate while preserving free expression. Gay candidly admitted that she has not always gotten it right, but emphasized her ongoing efforts towards addressing the issue.

Joining Gay was Liz Magill, the president of the University of Pennsylvania, who faced scrutiny over the school's participation in a "Palestine Writes Festival" in September. The festival was cited as a catalyst for antisemitic incidents on campus in a filed complaint with the Education Department. Magill vehemently denounced the antisemitic speech at the event and reassured lawmakers that safety measures were implemented by the institution.

The presidents detailed the steps taken to ensure the physical safety of students whilst fostering healthy debate and learning about the conflict. They highlighted their commitment to creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all students, while reiterating their dedication to free expression and the importance of open dialogue.

Amid bipartisan concerns, lawmakers expressed worries that higher education leaders were not doing enough to counter hate on their campuses. Republican Representative Virginia Foxx raised the issue of institutional antisemitism and hate, claiming these were indicative of the poisoned culture within these institutions. Foxx and other Republicans drew connections between rising campus antisemitism and their longstanding grievances about the perceived progressive and intolerant nature of higher education.

Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania are among the select few institutions where the Office for Civil Rights at the Education Department has launched investigations into alleged antisemitic incidents. Criticism was particularly focused on Gay and Harvard, with calls for her resignation from Republican Representative Elise Stefanik, a Harvard alum.

In a tense exchange, Stefanik pressed Gay on whether Harvard would take disciplinary action against students or applicants advocating for the murder of Jews. Gay condemned such hateful speech, stating it was personally abhorrent to her. She emphasized that Harvard had robust policies in place to hold accountable individuals whose speech escalates into bullying, harassment, or intimidation. Gay iterated the institution's commitment to free expression, even in instances where views may be objectionable, outrageous, or offensive.

The hearing shed light on the ongoing efforts of university presidents to address antisemitism on their campuses, while balancing the values of free expression and inclusivity. Lawmakers will closely monitor the progress made by these institutions as they continue to work towards creating safe and respectful environments for all students.