Austin News

April 23, 2024

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and 26 of his Senate GOP colleagues have sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, urging immediate action to protect Jewish students on college campuses from escalating anti-Semitic attacks.

In the letter, the senators expressed grave concern over the actions of "pro-Hamas rioters" who have caused chaos on campuses, leading to Jewish students being targeted and chased away. They highlighted the severity of the situation, with a Jewish rabbi at Columbia University even advising Jewish students to leave campus for their own safety.

The lawmakers called on the Department of Education and federal law enforcement to intervene swiftly, restore order, prosecute those inciting violence against Jewish students, and hold accountable school administrators who have failed to protect their students.

The letter, led by Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR), emphasized the need for concrete steps to address the anti-Semitic threats faced by Jewish students. It also referenced instances of violence and intimidation at other prestigious universities, illustrating a broader trend of hostility towards Jewish individuals on campuses.

The senators urged immediate action from the Biden administration, stating, "You need to take action to restore order and protect Jewish students on our college campuses." They emphasized that President Biden's condemnation of anti-Semitism must be followed by tangible measures to safeguard Jewish students from harm.

The letter concluded with a call for updates on the enforcement of federal laws to combat anti-Semitic activities on college campuses by a specified deadline.

The collaborative effort by Senator Cornyn and his GOP colleagues underscores a bipartisan commitment to combating anti-Semitism and ensuring the safety and well-being of Jewish students in higher education institutions.