DOJ Antisemitism Task Force Vows to Prosecute Hamas Supporters

The U.S. Department of Justice’s Task Force to Combat Antisemitism has announced plans to file federal hate crime indictments against campus activists who support Hamas and intimidate Jewish students. Leo Terrell, leading the task force, stated in an interview with Israel’s Channel 12 News that such demonstrators will face significant prison sentences.

“You see all these disorderly demonstrations, supporting Hamas and trying to intimidate Jews? We are going to put these people in jail—not for 24 hours, but for years,” Terrell declared. He criticized the previous administration for inaction, noting that in cities like New York and Los Angeles, Jewish individuals faced harassment without adequate legal response. Terrell emphasized that the current administration intends to accomplish more in a month than the previous one did in four years.

The task force, established on February 3 following President Donald Trump’s executive order on “Additional Measures to Combat Antisemitism,” aims to address the surge in antisemitic incidents, particularly those following the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023. The executive order mandates that all federal agencies report their efforts to combat antisemitism within 60 days.

Terrell outlined a series of forthcoming actions, including filing indictments within the next ten days and implementing aggressive measures over the next month. These actions will target universities that fail to protect Jewish students, potentially revoking federal funding and visas of those involved in antisemitic activities. “When protesters face jail time, it will stop,” Terrell asserted. He also announced plans to visit ten universities accused of permitting harassment against Jewish students.

The administration’s message to educational institutions is clear: ensure the safety and rights of Jewish students or face legal and financial consequences. Terrell, a civil rights attorney and former talk radio host, has been vocal about the necessity for robust federal action to defend Jewish communities in the aftermath of the October 7 attacks.

Since those attacks, there has been a significant increase in antisemitism worldwide. The task force’s mission is not only to combat this hatred domestically but also to set a global example in eradicating antisemitism.