In a tense exchange with Republican Rep. Tim Walberg, Northwestern University President Michael Schill declined multiple times to discuss specific staff members or students when questioned about what Walberg described as antisemitic rhetoric.
Schill said the university is creating a task force with faculty, staff and administrators who are “committed to fighting antisemitism, and as committed to fighting antisemitism as I am.”
But when faced with specific questioning about controversial remarks made by members of the university community, Schill declined to discuss the statements, instead repeating his commitment to addressing antisemitism.
Schill said he does not support the movement calling for boycotts, divestments and economic sanctions against Israel, but when asked about faculty members who Walberg said expressed support for the movement, Schill said, “I will not be discussing individual faculty members.”
When asked about a student-led organization at the university that Walberg said had expressed support for Hamas’ October 7 attacks in Israel, Schill said again, “I will not be commenting — certainly not commenting — on any student and what students said.”
Walberg, who at times cut off Schill’s answers, said, “I think we’re hearing that there’s no change going to take place at Northwestern University, relative to antisemitism.”
Some background: Walberg has voiced staunch support for Israel throughout its military campaign in Gaza.
He sparked controversy in March when he appeared to suggest bombs should be dropped on Gaza “like Nagasaki and Hiroshima” to “get it over quick.” Walberg has insisted he was speaking metaphorically.
