As George Mason University grapples with the latest incident of anti-Semitism linked to its Fairfax, Va., campus, Virginia Senate Democrats have announced Governor Glenn Youngkin's visit to one of the nation's leading anti-Semitism scholars. refused to be nominated to the committee.
Kenneth Marcus, founder of the Brandeis Center and former deputy secretary of the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights, was one of the few Youngkin candidates removed from consideration by the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee on a party-line vote.
Marcus, described by the New York Times as “the man who helped redefine anti-Semitism on campus,” told Fox News Digital in an interview Wednesday that he hopes to continue that work at GMU. he said.
“I was disappointed to see Democratic senators moving to block my nomination at the very moment we were achieving some pretty important victories against anti-Semitism.” our harvard university With this incident,” Marcus said, noting that he has served on the GMU board since mid-2024 without incident.
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George Washington University students participate in the Gaza Solidarity Camp in collaboration with other universities in the Washington, D.C., area. (Getty)
“I can't think of anything I've done that would be controversial other than working to protect George Mason students from anti-Semitism,” he said, adding that the school has recently addressed the issue. He pointed out that.
A freshman IT major at GMU and an Egyptian citizen is being investigated by the FBI for allegedly distributing weapons information in furtherance of violent crimes and threats against foreign officials, according to NBC News.
Abdullah Ezzeldin Taha Mohamed Hassan, 18, of Falls Church, Virginia, is accused of plotting to blow up the Israeli consulate in New York City.
Leaders from Students for Justice in Palestine were also banned from campus after police found signs reading “Death to Jews” and “Death to America” as well as firearms.
“This is a huge issue at George Mason right now, and it's a very concerning and significant problem,” Marcus said.
A person familiar with Yonkin's thoughts on the situation said the governor has “remained calm” and not publicly engaged, but is furious about the Democratic move.
“He's been quietly working on it in hopes that Democratic senators will see the error of their ways,” the source told Fox News Digital.
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Marcus said he worked hard to combat anti-Semitism on campus during his first seven months on campus. “I am very pleased to have the opportunity to work with the administration and board of that institution to address the very serious issues that are going on here.”
Marcus said he was working on incorporating a definition of anti-Semitism into GMU's anti-discrimination policy.
“The most important thing I've done since I joined the board is to work with the administration to incorporate the idea of a valid definition of anti-Semitism into George Mason's anti-discrimination policy. “It was a huge step forward and very impressive. It was unfortunate that such an influential member of the General Assembly reacted this way,” he said.
GMU is also subject to anti-Zionist sabotage. GMU President Gregory Washington said at least 70 anti-Semitic incidents had been reported to administrators as of February last year, and there is a federal investigation into the reported malicious activity. admitted that.
“I have been asked many times to stop student protests. Even when you are protesting against me, I will support you because I support free speech,” Washington said. 4th estate Student newspaper.
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Virginia State Capitol. (Getty)
The Senate P&E Committee also removed the nominations of former Vice President Mike Pence's chief of staff Mark Short and George W. Bush Presidential Library official Nina Reese, an education attorney with the McGuire Woods law firm in Richmond. .
Richmond Republicans hope to add Mr. Marcus' name back to the bill Thursday listing confirmed candidates, but one official said the Republican Party will continue to vote unless there are Democratic defectors in the 21-19 Senate. suggested that this path was unlikely.
Fox News Digital reached out to Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-Alexandria) and Senate P&E Committee Chairman Aaron Rouse (D-Virginia Beach) about Marcus' veto.
