“The investigations are in response to the explosion of anti-Semitism on American campuses following the Hamas massacre of Israeli civilians on Oct. 7, 2023,” the department said in a statement.

Universities throughout the United States became hotspots for pro-Palestine protests with students demanding their institutions divest from Israel over its brutal war in Gaza, which killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, mostly women and children.

The war was ignited by Hamas launching a surprise attack on Israel Oct. 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 Israelis. Another 251 people, mostly Israelis, were also kidnapped that day.

Pro-Palestine encampments were erected on some campuses, attracting the attention of pro-Israel counterprotesters. Violence and vandalism were reported at some of the encampments, and accusations were directed at the schools for permitting anti-Semitic rhetoric and violence.

Following reports of violence, many of the encampments were forcibly removed by the schools, often with support from local law enforcement.

The issue also became a flashpoint for Republicans, who grilled several presidents of Ivy League schools during congressional testimonies last year, resulting in several of them, including Columbia’s Minouche Shafik, resigning.

The investigations announced Monday come under an executive order President Donald Trump signed last week to combat anti-Semitism in universities.

“Too many universities have tolerated widespread anti-Semitic harassment and the illegal encampments that paralyzed campus life last year, driving Jewish life and religious expression underground,” acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor said in a statement, blaming the previous Biden administration for not doing enough to hold the institutions accountable.

He said the announcement of the investigations is sending the message that the Trump administration “will not tolerate continued institutional indifference to the well being of Jewish students on American campuses, nor will it stand by idly if universities fail to combat Jew hatred and the unlawful harassment and violence it animates.”

Columbia, one of the universities at the center of the debate over free speech and protests on campus, said it was reviewing the communication from the Department of Education.

“Columbia strongly condemns anti-Semitism and all forms of discrimination, and we are resolute that calling for, promoting or glorifying violence or terror has no place at our University,” its Office of Public Affairs said in a statement.

It said that since Katrina Alison Armstrong took over as interim president in August, the school has instituted a number of changes, including strengthening and clarifying its disciplinary processes and creating a centralized Office of Institutional Equity to address reports of discrimination and harassment.

“We look forward to ongoing work with the new federal administration to combat anti-Semitism and ensure the safety and well being of our students, faculty and staff.”

The investigations were launched as the Department of Justice announced the formation of a multi-agency task force to combat anti-Semitism, with the priority to focus of addressing alleged harassment on university campuses.