WASHINGTON, May 6 (Reuters) - The U.S. government said on Tuesday it will review an incident at the University of Washington in which pro-Palestinian protesters occupied a university building while demanding the school cut ties with Boeing over its contracts with the Israeli military. The university said on Tuesday thirty pro-Palestinian protesters who occupied the building late on Monday were arrested, and charges of trespassing, property destruction and disorderly conduct would be referred to prosecutors.
The administration of President Donald Trump labeled the incident as antisemitic activity. While it praised the university and reading math tutor law enforcement officials for tutoring help math their response, it urged the school to take enforcement actions and make policy changes. Protesters, including some Jewish groups, say the government wrongly conflates their criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza with antisemitism and their advocacy for Palestinian rights with support for extremism.
The Trump administration has threatened universities with federal funding cuts over pro-Palestinian campus protests against Israel's military assault on Gaza following Palestinian Hamas militants' October 2023 attack in Israel. "The Task Force's review is in response to the eruption of antisemitic harassment and violence that occurred Monday, May 5 at UW's campus in Seattle," the U.S. Education Department, Health Department and General Services Administration said in a statement.
The administration of President Donald Trump labeled the incident as antisemitic activity. While it praised the university and reading math tutor law enforcement officials for tutoring help math their response, it urged the school to take enforcement actions and make policy changes. Protesters, including some Jewish groups, say the government wrongly conflates their criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza with antisemitism and their advocacy for Palestinian rights with support for extremism.
The Trump administration has threatened universities with federal funding cuts over pro-Palestinian campus protests against Israel's military assault on Gaza following Palestinian Hamas militants' October 2023 attack in Israel. "The Task Force's review is in response to the eruption of antisemitic harassment and violence that occurred Monday, May 5 at UW's campus in Seattle," the U.S. Education Department, Health Department and General Services Administration said in a statement.