The Justice Department unveiled a new multi-agency task force Monday aimed at combating antisemitism, with an initial focus on addressing harassment of Jewish students in educational institutions, the department announced in a press release.
The initiative, established under President Donald Trump's executive order on combating antisemitism, will bring together representatives from multiple federal agencies including the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services.
The Civil Rights Division will coordinate the task force's operations. Leo Terrell, Senior Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, has been appointed to lead the effort. "Antisemitism in any environment is repugnant to this Nation's ideals," Terrell said in the Justice Department announcement.
The task force will prioritize addressing antisemitic harassment in schools and on college campuses. According to the Justice Department, individuals who have experienced discrimination can file complaints through the Civil Rights Division's website. The initiative represents the first major implementation of President Trump's recent executive order strengthening federal measures against antisemitism in educational settings.
The formation of this task force comes in response to escalating antisemitism on campuses following Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. The aftermath saw widespread protests and encampments that excluded Jewish students, creating a volatile atmosphere in educational institutions. The situation deteriorated to the point where some Jewish students required security escorts on campus amid incidents of violence.
StopAntisemitism's 2024 College Report, which examined 25 universities across the US, revealed a dramatic 3,000% increase in antisemitic incidents following Oct. 7. The surge in incidents was so significant that the watchdog organization had to triple its staff to manage the volume of reported cases.
