American University hit with federal complaint over 'persistent' antisemitism

American University in Washington, D.C., has been hit with a federal complaint alleging that Jewish and Israeli students have experienced "persistent and threatening anti-Semitic rhetoric and conduct" on campus.

The complaint was filed by the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law and Jewish on Campus Jan. 17 with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, according to a press release. It alleges university staffers were "fully aware of the pervasive and hostile environment for Jewish students" and not only ignored it, but in some cases "chose to subject Jewish whistleblowers to harassment and disciplinary proceedings."

The 24-page complaint attached to the Brandeis Center release details alleged incidents on campus, including one incident where a Jewish Israeli student was spit on by fellow students and his piano recital flyer was vandalized with swastikas and "DEATH TO THE ZIONISTS HITLER WAS RIGHT."

Dormitory doors and posters of Jewish and Israeli students have also been vandalized with swastikas and threats, according to the complaint. Anti-Israel protests have been referred to as "out-of-control" while also disrupting classes.

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA UNDER INVESTIGATION BY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOLLOWING ANTISEMITISM COMPLAINT

Students of American University attend a campus protest against Israeli attacks on Gaza in Washington, D.C., Nov. 1, 2023. (Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images)

"Jewish students report feeling fearful, anxious, shunned, isolated and marginalized," the Brandeis Center press release says.

"American University supports the safety, well-being, and sense of belonging of our Jewish students. They are a community which is and always has been an important part of the fabric of AU," the school's vice president and chief communications officer, Matt Bennett, said in a statement. 

ANTISEMITISM IS GETTING WORSE AS MORE 'SHOCKING' AND 'SCARY' INCIDENTS ARE EXPOSED, DC RESIDENTS SAY

An American University campus building in Washington, D.C. (Google Earth)

Students of American University attend a campus protest against Israeli attacks on Gaza in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 1, 2023. (Getty Images)

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"Antisemitism is abhorrent, wrong, and is not tolerated at American University. Supporting our Jewish students and combating antisemitism are top priorities and have been since before the atrocities of October 7. We take the Brandeis Center letter, the student concerns included in it, and any concerns from our Jewish community very seriously, and we are addressing them," the statement concludes.

As of last week, 99 U.S. schools were under investigation for "discrimination involving shared ancestry," which is prohibited under Title IV of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, according to the Star Tribune.

Fox News' Nikolas Lanum contributed to this report.