The resolution was submitted by Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).
“In the aftermath of the terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023, there has been a rise in incidents of antisemitism, including hate speech and intimidation, on college campuses and universities in the United States, creating an atmosphere of fear for Jewish students and faculty,” the resolution states. “Acts of hate, discrimination, and violence based on religion or ethnicity have no place at institutions that exist to further education and understanding between diverse student bodies.”
The resolution also states, “Freedom of speech and expression are foundational principles of institutions of higher education in the United States, but when these principles are used to promote violence, hatred, or discrimination on the basis of religious beliefs, national origin, or ancestry, higher education leaders have the right and an obligation to respond.”
“After the horrific atrocities committed by Hamas in southern Israel on October 7, we witnessed a wave of antisemitism on college campuses by anti-Israel groups praising Hamas’ mass murder of Jews,” said Sen. Blackburn. “Let me be clear: this kind of hatred has no place in America. I appreciate my Senate colleagues for swiftly and unanimously passing my resolution condemning antisemitism in our higher education institutions and urging campus staff to take action when it arises.”
“I’m appalled by the recent antisemitic incidents we’ve seen on college campuses across our nation, aimed at intimidating Jewish students and celebrating Hamas’s horrific terrorist attacks on Israel,” added Rosen. “Schools have a responsibility to protect their Jewish students in the face of this blatant bigotry. I’m proud to have helped lead this bipartisan resolution to show that Republicans and Democrats in the Senate are united in calling out this kind of hatred.”
