The presidents of Harvard University, MIT, and the University of Pennsylvania will testify before Congress next week regarding the issue of antisemitism on college campuses, announced lawmakers on Tuesday. The hearing, set for December 5, will be conducted by the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Amid tensions following the October 7 terror attacks by Hamas against Israel, Republican Rep. Virginia Foxx, chair of the committee, is determined to hold university leaders accountable for instances of antisemitism. The focus of the hearing appears to be on addressing the aftermath of the Hamas attack and the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, with no mention of investigating other forms of hate such as Islamophobia.

Rep. Foxx expressed concern over the inaction of college administrators, stating, "College administrators have largely stood by, allowing horrific rhetoric to fester and grow." She emphasized that college and university presidents have a responsibility to maintain a safe learning environment and called for decisive action rather than passive statements.

Scheduled to provide testimony at the hearing are Harvard President Claudine Gay, MIT President Sally Kornbluth, and Penn President Liz Magill. Representatives from these institutions have expressed their commitment to combating antisemitism on their respective campuses.

Harvard spokesperson Jason Newton conveyed President Gay's anticipation to share updates on the university's efforts to support the Harvard community and combat antisemitism. A spokesperson from MIT also confirmed President Kornbluth's intention to testify, welcoming the opportunity to engage with lawmakers. Penn spokesperson Steve Silverman stated that President Magill understands the urgency of fighting antisemitism and looks forward to sharing the actions being taken by Penn.

The issue of antisemitism on college campuses has gained significant attention recently, as protests and counterprotests have erupted across the country. Shockingly, the faces and names of students allegedly linked to anti-Israel statements were displayed on mobile billboards near Harvard and Columbia campuses. Similarly, the University of Pennsylvania reported violent antisemitic threats made against some faculty members, prompting them to alert the FBI.

Adding to the complexity of the situation, three Palestinian college students were recently shot in Burlington, Vermont, with authorities investigating whether the attack was motivated by hate. In response to these incidents, the Department of Education initiated investigations into seven schools, including Cornell University, Columbia, and Penn, following complaints about allegations of antisemitism and Islamophobia.

The handling of these incidents has led to some donors expressing their dissatisfaction. Private-equity billionaire Marc Rowan has organized a campaign to remove Magill as president of Penn, with support from influential alumni including "Law & Order" creator Dick Wolf and former US Ambassador Jon Huntsman. Hedge fund manager Leon Cooperman criticized students protesting against Israel, stating that they have "sh*t for brains."

In an interview with CNN, Nir Barkat, Israel's minister of economy and industry, warned that American universities failing to address antisemitism will face consequences. In response to criticism and pressure from officials and donors, universities, such as Columbia, have announced new initiatives to combat antisemitism. Additionally, the University of Pennsylvania unveiled an action plan to fight antisemitism and condemned recent hateful messages displayed on campus buildings.

As the hearing approaches, the presidents of Harvard, MIT, and Penn will have the opportunity to provide updates on their institutions' efforts to combat antisemitism. The outcome of the hearing could influence future steps taken by universities in addressing and preventing hate on their campuses.