In a recent interview, Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina expressed his frustration with President Biden’s actions during the Israel-Hamas war. As a 2024 Republican presidential candidate, Scott wants to take action against colleges and universities that facilitate or promote events with an antisemitic message. He introduced new legislation, the Stop Antisemitism on College Campuses Act, which would prevent these schools from receiving federal student aid. This move comes in response to numerous anti-Israel rallies hosted by student groups and, in some cases, encouraged by faculty, following a devastating Hamas terrorist attack. Scott believes that hitting colleges “where it hurts – their pocketbooks” will be an effective way to combat antisemitism.
The legislation aims to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965, mandating that no school should support any event promoting antisemitism on campus if they wish to receive federal funds. The bill adopts the working definition of antisemitism adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) in 2016. This definition includes the perception of Jews and hatred towards them, as well as any manifestations of antisemitism directed towards individuals, their property, or Jewish community institutions.
Representative Mike Lawler, a Republican from New York, introduced companion legislation in the House, emphasizing the need to confront the rising antisemitism on college campuses. Elite schools such as Georgetown University, Columbia University, UCLA, and NYU have seen marches and rallies coordinated with Students for Justice in Palestine, a group that celebrated Hamas’ attack as a “historic win for the Palestinian resistance.” The University of Pennsylvania even hosted a literature festival that promoted speakers known for their antisemitic remarks.
The Anti-Defamation League reports a 488% increase in violent language and threats against the Jewish community and Israel in the first 18 hours following the Hamas attack. Shockingly, professors at Cornell University and Columbia University expressed support for the attacks, with one calling them “exhilarating” and “exciting.” Harvard University faced criticism after student organizations co-signed a statement blaming Israel entirely for the terrorist attacks. The slow and weak response from Harvard President Claudine Gay drew further backlash.
The backlash against the student statement also led to reports of CEOs seeking the names of students involved to potentially ban them from future employment. Some law firms have already rescinded offers to law students associated with anti-Israel statements. These incidents have sparked interest in the House Ways and Means Committee, which may investigate the tax-exempt status of these schools.
Senator Tim Scott’s legislation has gained attention and support from Republicans who are determined to combat antisemitism on college campuses. If passed, this legislation would significantly impact colleges and universities that promote antisemitic events by cutting off their federal funding. The fight against antisemitism continues to be a pressing issue, and Scott’s proposed legislation is one step towards addressing it.
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