In a recent development, Senators Jacky Rosen (D-Nevada) and James Lankford (R-Okla.) have sent a letter to Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), requesting a hearing to address the rise of antisemitism on college campuses. The senators emphasized the need for a full committee hearing to better understand the scale and scope of this issue as the new legislative year begins.
As co-chairs of the Senate Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism, Rosen and Lankford expressed deep concern over the increase in antisemitic incidents following Hamas’s terrorist attack on Israel on October 7. They stressed that no student should fear for their safety or ability to study in a safe environment, regardless of their ethnicity, religion, race, or national origin.
The senators highlighted several instances of antisemitic acts at universities and criticized some university presidents and administrators for failing to condemn such incidents forcefully. They noted that despite the legal obligation to protect students from discrimination, many leaders have not adequately addressed or condemned antisemitic speech.
The letter also mentioned the failure of university presidents to speak out against clear displays of antisemitism during a hearing before the House Committee on Education and Workforce on December 5. This lack of conviction in addressing antisemitism is concerning and raises questions about the commitment of these leaders to protect their students.
The rise in antisemitic incidents on college campuses can be attributed to the recent war between Israel and Hamas. Following the terrorist attack, protests broke out on campuses, causing fear among Jewish students who were targeted for sympathizing with Israel. Incidents such as the trapping of Jewish students in a library at Cooper Union and threats of violence against Jewish students at Cornell University have been reported.
The senators cited these incidents as examples of the numerous antisemitic occurrences across colleges and universities in recent months. They called for swift and meaningful action to ensure the safety of Jewish students, including holding a full committee hearing on campus antisemitism.
Rosen has previously called for a review of college policies to protect Jewish students from antisemitic harassment and urged compliance with federal civil rights standards.
This request for a hearing comes at a time when the issue of antisemitism is receiving increased attention. The senators’ efforts aim to address this pressing concern and ensure the safety and well-being of Jewish students on college campuses.
The article was written by Jamie Joseph, a writer covering politics, and Hannah Grossman contributed to the report. It provides an update on the senators’ request and highlights the importance of addressing antisemitism in colleges.
