• The Departments of Education (ED), Health and Human Services (HHS), and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) are reviewing anti-Semitic violence at the University of Washington (UW) following a pro-Palestinian protest.
• The protest, organized by Students United for Palestinian Equality and Return (SUPER UW), involved occupying an engineering building, causing over $1 million in damages, and demanding UW divest from Boeing.
• UW has suspended and banned 21 students involved in the protest, and the Trump administration is threatening to cut federal funding if the university doesn't address the situation effectively.

A protest at the University of Washington (UW) on May 5, 2025, led by Students United for Palestinian Equality and Return (SUPER UW), resulted in significant damage and arrests. The protesters demanded that UW cut ties with Boeing due to the company's defense contracts related to the Gaza conflict. The Departments of Education (ED), Health and Human Services (HHS), and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) initiated a review of the incident, citing anti-Semitic violence. The university has responded by suspending and banning students involved and vowing to cooperate with the federal review.

• What: Pro-Palestinian protesters occupied the Interdisciplinary Engineering Building at the University of Washington, causing damage and leading to arrests and federal review.
• Who: Students United for Palestinian Equality and Return (SUPER UW), University of Washington (UW), Departments of Education (ED), Health and Human Services (HHS), U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, Boeing.
• When: Protest occurred on Monday, May 5, 2025. The federal review was announced on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.
• Where: University of Washington (UW) campus in Seattle, specifically the Interdisciplinary Engineering Building.

The incident at the University of Washington highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its impact on university campuses. The federal review underscores the Trump administration's focus on combating anti-Semitism and its willingness to intervene in universities' handling of protests. The potential loss of federal funding could have significant financial implications for UW. The university's response, including the suspension of students and commitment to cooperating with the review, is aimed at mitigating these risks and addressing concerns about campus safety and inclusivity.

The violence and chaos that ensued on University of Washington’s campus is yet another horrifying display of the antisemitic harassment and lawlessness which has characterized many of our nation’s elite campuses over the last several years. This destructive behavior is unacceptable.

No institution that tolerates violence, harassment, or the open intimidation of Jewish students should expect to receive billions in taxpayer support. This isn’t about politics—it’s about whether a federally funded university is upholding the law, protecting civil rights, and fostering a safe environment for all students.

This was no peaceful protest in support of Palestinian rights or against the war in Gaza. I condemn this dangerous, violent, and illegal building occupation and related vandalism.

I hope that you can see our fight until the UW is actually willing to support its community through divestment, cutting ties with Boeing, protection of immigrants, decarbonization and workers rights. Or quite simply, justice for all

The University of Washington is facing significant challenges following the pro-Palestinian protest and the subsequent federal review. The university must address concerns about anti-Semitism and campus safety while navigating the demands of student activists and the scrutiny of federal authorities. The outcome of the review and the university's response will have far-reaching implications for its reputation, funding, and campus climate.