Legislation introduced to defund colleges, universities that promote antisemitism

Knoxville Daily Sun

Legislation introduced to defund colleges, universities that promote antisemitism

Knoxville Daily Sun
Published October 24, 2023; 4:20 p.m.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) joined Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), and James Lankford (R-Okla.) in introducing the Stop Antisemitism on College Campuses Act, which would rescind federal education funding for colleges and universities that peddle antisemitism or authorize, fund or facilitate events that promote violent antisemitism.

“Following Hamas’ slaughter of over 1,400 Israelis on October 7, we witnessed vile protests in celebration of the attacks by student groups on college campuses across the country,” said Senator Blackburn.

The federal government should not be giving one dollar to colleges and universities that aid and abet antisemitic student groups who glorify acts of terrorism. The Stop Antisemitism on College Campuses Act will ensure that taxpayer dollars are not going toward virulently antisemitic students who want to see Israel destroyed.

“Any university or college that peddles blatant antisemitism, especially after Hamas’ brutal attack on Israeli civilians, women and children, has no place molding the minds of future generations, never mind receiving millions of taxpayer funds to do so,” said Senator Scott.

We must not only call out this hate, but crush it wherever it rears its ugly head. If these schools don’t change their ways, my legislation hits them where it hurts – their pocketbooks. No college or university should receive a single cent from the federal government to fund violent antisemitism.

Congressman Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) introduced the companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

From outrageous antisemitic rhetoric in graduation speeches to celebrations of the recent Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel, the rising antisemitism on college campuses is alarming and must be confronted,” said Congressman Mike Lawler (R, N.Y.). “No college or university should receive a single dollar of federal education funding if they allow for the promotion of antisemitism at an event on campus. That’s why I introduced H.R. 3773, the Stop Anti-Semitism on College Campuses Act, and why I applaud Senator Tim Scott for introducing this legislation in the Senate. Congress must work in a bicameral fashion to stamp out the scourge of antisemitism wherever it rears its ugly head.

Background:

According to the Anti-Defamation League, violent language and threats against the Jewish community and Israel increased 488% in the first 18 hours after Hamas’ attack on Israeli civilians. Some examples include:

• Harvard University’s silence regarding over thirty Harvard student organizations releasing a statement blaming Israel for the Hamas terrorist attacks carried out against Israeli civilians.
• A Cornell professor called the Hamas terror attacks “exhilarating” and “exciting.”
• A Columbia professor praised Hamas’ actions as “astonishing,” “astounding,” “awesome” and “incredible.”

This legislation comes on the heels of:

• Georgetown University, Columbia University, the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), New York University (NYU) and more who have hosted marches and rallies in coordination with Students for Justice in Palestine, a group which called Hamas’ attack “a historic win for the Palestinian resistance;”
• The University of Pennsylvania hosting a Palestine Writes Literature Festival, which promoted speakers with a history of antisemitic remarks; and more