‘Fox & Friends Weekend’ co-hosts Will Cain and Pete Hegseth shed light on the concerning impact of the Israel-Hamas war on U.S. college campuses. The recent testimony of MIT President Sally Kornbluth before Congress has sparked outrage among students, particularly after she stated that calls for the genocide of Jews would only violate the university’s code of conduct if targeted at individuals. Israeli PhD student Liyam Chitayat passionately confronted Kornbluth’s stance, demanding answers on the university’s “obsession with context.”
Chitayat highlighted several instances of antisemitism on campus, including the desecration of the prayer room at MIT Hillel and the harassment of Jewish and Israeli staff members. The situation escalated during a House Committee on Education and Labor hearing, where the presidents of UPenn, Harvard, and MIT were unable to unequivocally state that calls for the genocide of Jews would violate conduct policies. This led to bipartisan calls for the removal of the presidents and a congressional probe into the institutions.
Acknowledging the trauma caused by the Israel-Hamas war, Chitayat shared her personal experience of texting a friend in Israel who was hiding in a bomb shelter. She expressed disappointment in the response from MIT, where students and staff seemed to celebrate the violence online and at a rally. Chitayat also highlighted the tearing down of posters depicting Israeli children taken hostage by Hamas as “Zionist propaganda.”
Chitayat directly addressed Kornbluth and Harvard University President Claudine Gay, criticizing their defense of terrorist sympathizers and questioning their humanity. She emphasized that the Jewish community will not be erased and called for global attention to the issue.
As a result of the hearing, the House committee initiated a congressional probe into all three universities, demanding substantial document requests and potentially issuing subpoenas for information. The situation has sparked a broader conversation about accountability and the need to address antisemitism on college campuses.
In conclusion, the rise of antisemitism on U.S. college campuses, as evidenced by the recent events at MIT and Harvard, has sparked outrage and demands for accountability. Students are speaking out against a perceived lack of action and are urging universities to take immediate steps to combat antisemitism. The congressional probe into these institutions signifies the importance of addressing this issue and ensuring the safety and well-being of all students.
