The congressional panel investigating antisemitism on US college campuses faced criticism for potentially infringing on free speech rights, drawing comparisons to the infamous House un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) of the cold-war era. David Cole, a professor at Georgetown University law centre and former ACLU legal director, accused the current committee of making baseless accusations of antisemitism to stifle protected speech. The hearings, which have targeted antisemitism related to anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian activities at top universities, have sparked controversy over allegations of using antisemitism as a pretext to restrict academic freedom.

The panel, led by Republican chair Tim Walberg, has faced scrutiny for its handling of the issue, with concerns raised about the sincerity of some members’ commitment to combating prejudice against Jews. Critics, including Jewish academics and groups like Jewish Voice for Peace, have condemned the hearings as McCarthyite and biased against pro-Palestinian activism. The focus on antisemitic speech on campuses, as highlighted during the hearings, raised questions about the balance between free speech rights and addressing discrimination.

Despite claims of protecting Jewish students from marginalization and attacks, the hearings have been criticized for lacking thorough investigations into specific incidents and for potentially misusing civil rights laws to suppress speech. The contentious exchanges between committee members and university officials underscored the deep divisions over how to address antisemitism while upholding free expression on college campuses. Amidst the heated debates, the core challenge remains in finding a balanced approach that safeguards both academic freedom and protects against discrimination.