House Members Unite in Historic Bipartisan Effort
In a significant step towards safeguarding moral integrity, the House of Representatives passed a resolution to condemn antisemitism on college campuses. The bill, introduced by House Republican Conference Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., and Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., received widespread support from both sides of the aisle.
President Magill Resigns, Calls for Others to Follow Suit
The resolution’s passage comes in the wake of a notable resignation. President Magill, of an undisclosed university, stepped down, citing the need for other university presidents to do the same. The resolution explicitly states, “President Magill has resigned, and the other Presidents should follow suit.” This development underscores the urgency of addressing the issue of antisemitism.
Strong Bipartisan Stand for Moral Truth
Representative Stefanik hailed the resolution’s passage as a historic bipartisan effort to uphold moral truth. She emphasized that the world is closely watching as Members from both sides of the aisle unite to condemn antisemitism on college campuses and denounce the morally bankrupt testimony of certain university presidents.
In a statement, Stefanik expressed disappointment in the 128 Democrats who voted against the resolution, asserting that their decision reflects poorly on their commitment to combating antisemitism and condemning the abhorrent actions of these university presidents.
Evasive Answers and Troubling Testimony
During a House Committee on Education and the Workforce hearing, several university presidents, including Liz Magill, then-President of the University of Pennsylvania, Claudine Gay, President of Harvard, and Sally Kornbluth, President of MIT, were asked by Representative Stefanik about their institutions’ policies on bullying and harassment in relation to calls for the genocide of Jews.
Much to the dismay of many, their responses were deemed evasive. President Magill suggested that context determined whether such speech constituted harassment. President Gay responded that it depended on the specific context, while President Kornbluth stated that it would only be harassment if targeted at individuals and if it was pervasive and severe.
Statements from Universities
Following the hearing, MIT released a statement reaffirming their rejection of antisemitism in all its forms. They highlighted President Kornbluth’s commitment to addressing antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of hate. MIT’s governing board expressed their unwavering support for President Kornbluth, praising her exceptional leadership and moral compass.
Similarly, Harvard reaffirmed their support for President Gay, emphasizing her suitability as a leader capable of guiding the community towards healing and effectively addressing societal issues.
The passing of this resolution marks a significant milestone in the fight against antisemitism on college campuses, urging university leaders to take a strong stance against hatred and discrimination.
