Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – On Tuesday, Rep. Ralph Norman (SC-5) sent letters to the administrations at several U.S. universities concerning the rise in antisemitic statements and pro-Hamas protests on their campuses. The letters express profound disappointment in administrators for their half-hearted, hypocritical, or absent responses to the outrageous protests by student organizers and certain professors.

Background

On October 7, 2023, Hamas, an Islamist terrorist organization, coordinated a series of violent attacks against Israel. The deliberate and indiscriminate firing of rockets and missiles into civilian areas along with the slaughter of women and children is not only a violation of international law but also a grave threat to the lives and well-being of innocent people.
Unfortunately, following the horrendous attacks and acts of violence on Israelis by Hamas terrorists, many student organizations and professors at our country's top universities have chosen to turn a blind eye to these evils. These university organizations and individuals have either gone public with pro-Hamas statements, or have been slow to condemn such evil.

Columbia University 
At Columbia University, there was a recent assault against an Israel student, pro-Palestine protests on campus, and a tenured professor who described the Hamas attack as "awesome stunning victory."

Cornell University
At Cornell University, a professor described the Hamas attacks as "energizing" and "exhilarating."

Harvard University
At Harvard University, student organizations publicly blamed Israel for Hamas' attacks.

University of Pennsylvania
UPenn hosted multiple openly antisemitic speakers on campus.


Yale University
At Yale, a professor justified Hamas killing Israelis and described Israel as "a murderous, genocidal state."

The behavior and tolerance for hate speech and violence from these institutions raises serious concerns over their basic morality and commitment to standing against terrorism and those who wish harm to others.

These letters are co-signed by: Rep. Andrew Clyde (GA), Rep. Troy Nehls (TX), Rep. Vern Buchanan (FL), Rep. Neal Dunn (FL), Rep. Joe Wilson (SC), Rep. Bob Good (VA), Rep. Mike Collins (GA), Rep. Chris Smith (NJ), Rep. Randy Weber (TX), Rep. Andy Ogles (TN), Rep. Michael McCaul (TX), Rep. Brian Babin (TX), Rep. Jeff Duncan (SC), Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (PA), Rep. Glenn Grothman (WI), Rep. Andy Harris (MD), Rep. Nancy Mace (SC), Rep. Doug LaMalfa (CA), Rep. Jack Bergman (MI), Rep. Mike Carey (OH), Rep. Doug Lamborn (CO), Rep. Bill Posey (FL), Rep. Chuck Edwards (NC), Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (NY), Rep. Burgess Owens (UT), and Rep. Michael Guest (MS).

Statements

Rep. Norman issued the following statement on Tuesday: “Israel is our single most important ally in the Middle East and a beacon of democracy. I was astonished to learn that five ivy league schools have allowed for pro-Hamas, antisemitic acts at their campuses and among their faculty and student bodies."

"The delay in response by these universities in conjunction with their outright support of these student organizations and professors sends a message of indifference and alienates part of their own student body. The message from these universities is clear, not only to the victims of the attacks but to the victims of terrorism globally. Israel deserves our support in response to this heinous and unprovoked terrorist attack carried out by Hamas."

Chairman McCaul added: “Like millions of other brave Americans, my father fought in World War II against the Nazis. After the Allies won that war, we made a promise of ‘Never Again.’ It is appalling to see the evil of antisemitism rearing its ugly head through hateful and at-times violent behavior on our nation’s college campuses. If these universities truly value empathy and inclusion as they claim, they will unequivocally condemn this behavior and take immediate action to ensure the safety of all students.”