House Panel Launches Investigation into Alleged Antisemitism in Berkeley, Fairfax County and Philadelphia Schools

A House Education and Workforce Committee panel has opened an inquiry into reported antisemitic incidents at three public school districts: Berkeley Unified (California), Fairfax County Public Schools (Virginia) and the School District of Philadelphia (Pennsylvania). Committee chair Rep. Tim Walberg sent formal letters requesting records and other information to determine whether Jewish K‑12 students face a hostile environment and whether the districts are complying with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.

What the committee is seeking

The committee asked for documents related to alleged bullying, antisemitic displays, educator conduct, internal complaints and any corrective actions taken in recent years. The records will be reviewed to assess compliance with Title VI, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color or national origin in programs that receive federal funding. Districts were given a deadline of December 8 to produce the requested materials.

District responses and recent history

Fairfax County Public Schools confirmed receipt of the letter and said it "intends to fully cooperate" while continuing to provide a safe, supportive and inclusive environment for all students and staff. Requests for comment were sent to Berkeley Unified and the School District of Philadelphia.

Both Berkeley Unified and the Philadelphia district were previously reviewed by federal education officials. The Philadelphia district reached a December 2024 settlement with the U.S. Department of Education and agreed to a federally mandated corrective action plan; Rep. Walberg said press and whistleblower reports indicate antisemitic incidents have continued since that agreement.

Context and earlier hearings

The inquiry comes as the current administration has prioritized investigations into what it describes as anti‑Israel or antisemitic activity on K‑12 campuses and at universities. More than a year ago, a Congressional hearing examined alleged antisemitism in K‑12 schools and included testimony from officials in jurisdictions such as New York City, Montgomery County (Md.) and Berkeley Unified.

At last May's hearing, Berkeley Unified Superintendent Enikia Ford Morthel was questioned about curriculum that included the line, "For some Palestinians, 'from the river to the sea' is a call for freedom and peace." Morthel defended presenting diverse perspectives in the classroom, saying: "We definitely believe it’s important to expose our students to a diversity of ideas and perspectives, and if it was presented as a perspective, I do think it’s appropriate."

Advocates for Palestinian rights say the phrase expresses a call for justice and an end to occupation; the Anti‑Defamation League and many supporters of Israel say the slogan calls for Israel’s destruction and is therefore antisemitic. Separate federal reviews are also underway at dozens of colleges to evaluate potential Title VI violations related to alleged antisemitic conduct.

Matt Egan, Karina Tsui and Elizabeth Wolfe contributed to this report.