As anti-Israel protests intensify on college campuses, Rep. Ritchie Torres of New York denounces “intimidation” of Jewish students and actions that “endanger” their safety. Torres and Rep. Mike Lawler (N.Y.), co-sponsors of the bipartisan Anti-Semitism Awareness Act, said Democratic “squad” member Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) A student said, “I’m a genocide advocate.”
Universities crack down on anti-Israel agitators as protesters seek ‘amnesty’
Congressman Richie Torres: Keep in mind that the First Amendment applies to governments, not private universities, which have their own policies and codes of conduct. However, even if this applies to private university, There are time, place, and etiquette restrictions. First, there is a difference between freedom of expression and intimidation, and between freedom of expression and harassment. And what we’re seeing at places like Columbia University is systematic harassment and intimidation of Jewish students. Harsh environment for Jews on a college campus in violation of Title VI. So this is not about free speech. It concerns conduct that endangers the safety of Jewish students across the country.
Lawmakers at prestigious universities such as Columbia University, UCLA, Emory, Yale, University of Southern California, and UNC-Chapel Hill have been threatened with mobs of anti-Israel agitators storming campuses and occupying university buildings. bipartisan bill aims to combat anti-Semitism in universities.
Meanwhile, Omar has faced intense backlash in recent days for comments she made during a visit to an anti-Israel camp at Columbia University last week.
“So I met many Jewish students who were at the camp,” Omar replied. “And the fact that all Jewish children should be kept safe and that all Jewish students, whether pro-genocide or anti-genocide, should tolerate anti-Semitism and bigotry. I think it’s really unfortunate that people don’t care about the fact that there isn’t one.” ”
The “squad” member was called out by Republican and Democratic colleague Florida Rep. Jared Moskowitz, who accused her of “pouring gasoline.” Rising anti-Semitism.
Omar on Tuesday silenced Fox News Congressional Correspondent Aisha Husni when she tried to press her on her recent comments.
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Fox News’ Joseph A. Wulfsohn and Alba Cuebas-Fantauzzi contributed to this report.
