House Republicans on the Committee on Education and the Workforce have issued a sharp condemnation of the American Psychological Association (APA), alleging that the organization's leadership tolerated and even accommodated antisemitic rhetoric in the aftermath of Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. The 22-page report, released Thursday, draws on public listserv exchanges and internal communications to argue that the APA failed to protect its Jewish members.
According to the report, in the days immediately following the attack, some APA members posted messages on a professional listserv that praised Hamas. One member reportedly wrote that Hamas was "protecting civilians" and deserved "kudos," while another described October 7 as "the only signs of life and resistance" for Palestinians. The GOP lawmakers contend these comments were not adequately addressed by APA leadership.
"APA leaders have too often minimized complaints, accommodated individuals promoting antisemitic rhetoric, and embraced political approaches to psychology that deepen divisions within the profession," the Republicans wrote in the report. They argue that such conduct violates the organization's own ethical standards and undermines its credibility as a professional body.
The report also highlights internal resistance to a proposal by Jewish psychologists to form an official subgroup within the APA, similar to groups already established for Black and Arab psychologists. According to the report, some members objected on the grounds that Jewish psychologists "benefitted from white privilege," effectively blocking the initiative. This episode, the Republicans say, illustrates a broader pattern of insensitivity and hostility toward Jewish members.
As a remedy, the House Republicans are recommending that Congress strip the APA of its authority to accredit doctoral programs in psychology. Such a move would be a significant blow to the organization, which currently holds near-monopoly power over the accreditation of clinical and counseling psychology programs across the United States. The recommendation is part of a broader conservative push to hold professional organizations accountable for perceived political bias, a trend that has also touched other academic and medical bodies.
The APA has pushed back against the allegations. In a statement reported by The New York Times, APA President Wendi Williams said the organization "unequivocally condemns antisemitism in all its forms" and denied the report's central claims. She noted that the APA has already taken "meaningful steps to ensure that Jewish members, like all members, can participate fully and safely in the organization and the profession."
The dispute comes amid a wider national debate over how institutions have responded to the Israel-Hamas conflict. College campuses, professional associations, and government agencies have all faced scrutiny over their handling of antisemitism and anti-Israel activism. This report adds to that pressure, potentially influencing how other organizations review their own internal policies.
Republicans on the committee have signaled they may hold hearings on the matter, and the accreditation threat could become a legislative battle. However, any move to revoke the APA's accrediting power would likely face legal challenges and opposition from Democrats and professional psychology groups. The APA's accreditation process is recognized by the Department of Education, and changing it would require significant regulatory or statutory action.
For now, the report serves as a political statement, but it underscores the growing partisan divide over how to address antisemitism in professional settings. Partisan rifts have already complicated other legislative efforts, and this issue could further entangle higher education policy in broader political battles. The committee's next steps remain unclear, but the report sets the stage for a contentious review of the APA's practices.
