In a tense exchange during a congressional hearing, UCLA Chancellor Gene Block was criticized for his handling of a pro-Palestinian encampment that was violently attacked by a mob last month. The questioning came from Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), who repeatedly expressed her disappointment in the injuries and arrests that occurred under Block's watch.

Omar denounced the images from UCLA as "appalling" and stated that the incident could have been prevented. She questioned the UCLA leadership and law enforcement's failure to intervene and keep the students safe during the gathering of agitators with clear intentions of causing violence.

Block rejected the premise of Omar's criticism and highlighted that UCLA is collaborating with the LAPD to identify the attackers. He maintained that the university made efforts to get the police on the scene as quickly as possible.

The heated exchange occurred during a House Committee on Education and the Workforce hearing on campus antisemitism. Block, along with presidents Michael Schill of Northwestern and Jonathan Holloway of Rutgers, testified before the committee.

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that pro-Palestinian protesters have set up a new encampment on the UCLA campus, weeks after their initial camp was attacked and dismantled by police.

Democrats on the committee criticized Republicans, accusing them of not being serious enough in their fight against antisemitism. They claimed that the hearings were politically motivated, pointing out the absence of similar discussions on anti-Muslim or anti-Arab hatred.

During the hearing, Block admitted that in hindsight, the university should have taken immediate action to remove the pro-Palestinian encampment if student safety was at risk. This was the first time a California university head had addressed the panel since the Israel-Hamas conflict began.

Furthermore, Northwestern President Michael Schill faced aggressive questioning from committee members regarding his administration's negotiations with the pro-Palestinian protesters. Schill defended the university's commitment to due process but stated that investigations were ongoing.

The hearing also touched upon the issue of training and awareness of antisemitism at universities. Block acknowledged that antisemitism was a challenge at UCLA and mentioned efforts to address it, including online training for students. However, he agreed that more needed to be done in terms of training and education on the subject.

The questioning also delved into Northwestern's relationship with Qatar, where the university has a campus, and the connections between the journalism school and Al Jazeera.

Overall, the hearing shed light on the challenges universities face in addressing antisemitism and balancing freedom of expression on campus. The incidents at UCLA and Northwestern have ignited discussions about the need for improved safety measures and increased awareness of antisemitism among students and staff.