The US Department of Justice is investigating the University of California system for possible antisemitic discrimination after demonstrations against Israel’s war in Gaza took place on campuses last year.

“This Department of Justice will always defend Jewish Americans, protect civil rights, and leverage our resources to eradicate institutional Antisemitism in our nation’s universities,” read a statement by Pam Bondi, the attorney general, released on Wednesday.

The investigation will look into whether UC violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by engaging in a “pattern or practice of discrimination based on race, religion and national origin against its professors, staff and other employees by allowing an Antisemitic hostile work environment to exist on its campuses”, according to the statement.