Antisemitism has no place on college campuses

By U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman
R-Arkansas

Ever since Hamas unleashed itself on Israel in October, far-left Democrats and corrupt university leaders have allowed antisemitism to overrun America's once great higher education institutions. All law and order and academic integrity have been thrown out the window as elitist, pro-Hamas student protest groups continue setting up 'Gaza Solidarity' encampments at their schools to protest Israel's right to protect itself from terrorism. In some states, law enforcement has acted swiftly to shut down the mobs; in others, university leaders have protected the protesters, allowing them to continue their hateful demonstrations.

The First Amendment protects Americans' rights to assemble and express our views through peaceful protest. It does not, however, protect entitled students who try to wrongfully evoke those rights through aggressive protests promoting terrorism. 

The scenes from these protests are downright despicable. Protesters are ransacking academic buildings, they're blocking anyone who refuses to condemn Israel from attending class, and Jewish students no longer feel safe to walk through campus. Enough is enough. Antisemitism has no place in America, especially at our colleges and universities. We must bring back moral decency to our higher education institutions.

House Republicans, under the leadership of Speaker Mike Johnson, have launched a House-wide probe into campus antisemitism. This probe will not stop until Jewish students can feel safe again on campus and those who have been compliant in this hatred are held accountable. 

Last week, as part of that effort, I voted to pass the Antisemitism Awareness Act, bipartisan legislation that will be a critical step in taking action to protect Jewish students nationwide. Our Jewish brothers and sisters are looking to us to stand up against hatred. I will continue to work with my House Republican colleagues to lead in this effort where university presidents and far-left Democrats have failed.

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