Media: In the US, teachers were sent text messages asking if they are Jewish

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has launched an unexpected campaign to send text messages to professors at the prestigious Barnard College in New York with direct questions about their Jewish identity and religious affiliation.

As reported by TUT.AZ, the American portal The Intercept obtained copies of these messages, which caused a real stir in academic circles.

Officially, the survey is being conducted as part of an investigation into possible discrimination against employees of Jewish origin. However, the research methods have sparked a wave of outrage among faculty members.

"The fact that the government is texting personal phones to find out which of us are Jewish is incredibly sinister," Associate Professor Debbie Becher told the portal. The survey text contained the question "select all that apply," followed by options: "I am Jewish," "I am Israeli," "I have Jewish or Israeli heritage," "I practice Judaism," the portal indicates.

Many professors perceived the federal agency's actions as a form of pressure and an attempt to restrict freedom of speech, especially in the context of criticism of Israeli policy. Notably, the EEOC did not consider it necessary to notify the college administration in advance about the planned messaging. The college leadership confirmed the fact that employee contact information had been provided to the federal agency only after concerned faculty members began asking questions.

Barnard College, affiliated with Columbia University, has in recent months become one of the epicenters of student protests against Israel's military actions in the Gaza Strip. According to The Intercept, faculty members expressed serious concerns that federal structures, including the EEOC, could be used as an instrument of political pressure to suppress critical statements about Israel amid the escalating situation in the Middle East.