Republican Senate candidate Steve Garvey, vying to replace the late Dianne Feinstein, is calling for the prosecution of individuals involved in violence outside a Jewish synagogue in Los Angeles. Garvey, who recently visited Israel to show solidarity with the Jewish community, has also criticized the lack of action by universities and district attorneys in addressing anti-Israel unrest on campuses.
Senator Marco Rubio has urged Columbia University President Minouche Shafik to refund students who missed out on educational services due to a month-long anti-Israel encampment on campus. The encampment involved antisemitic language, the takeover of a campus building, and pro-Hamas chants and signage. Notably, Jewish students were told to leave campus due to safety concerns. The university failed to respond to the illegal rioters until nearly two weeks later, leading to the cancellation of the undergraduate commencement ceremony and in-person final exams. Rubio, a potential running mate for former President Trump, suggests a refund of $6,400 per student for the three-week interruption in services.
The Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) has announced plans to raise at least $5 million and launch a $15 million independent expenditure campaign in support of former President Trump’s 2024 presidential bid. This effort, described as the organization’s largest ever, comes amidst ongoing anti-Israel protests on college campuses and concerns within the Jewish community about rising antisemitism. RJC national political director Sam Markstein emphasized that the community is highly energized and eager to ‘turn the page’ from President Biden’s perceived failures and broken promises.
Mark Rayant, a Jewish graduate student at USC, confronted anti-Israel agitators on campus who had been following and harassing him. Rayant, who is graduating with a master’s degree, said he was not willing to be intimidated by the radicals and would not let them silence Jewish voices on campus. Despite the cancellation of the main graduation ceremony due to anti-Israel protests, Rayant and other students are planning to celebrate their achievements and stand up to the bullies who seek to divide the campus community.
The recent protests at Columbia University have drawn parallels to the campus crisis of 1968. The university’s administration failed to learn the lessons of the past, leading to a repeat of the mayhem. They need to prioritize education and free speech over pandering to radicals.
An anti-Israel encampment at New York University has been dismantled, while far-left agitators at the University of Oregon have released a video showing Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib’s support for their actions. Tlaib’s involvement in these protests has drawn criticism due to her previous sympathy with antisemitic causes and her refusal to condemn antisemitism at such gatherings.
President Joe Biden addressed the ongoing campus protests over the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, emphasizing the importance of peaceful protest while condemning anti-Semitism and violence. He stated that order must prevail, balancing the right to protest with the need to prevent disruptions and ensure safety on university campuses. Biden faced criticism from both Republicans and Democrats over his handling of the protests, facing accusations of being soft on anti-Semitism and strong support for Israel’s military offensive, respectively.
Israel’s President Isaac Herzog has criticized US universities for the campus unrest over Israel’s war in Gaza, claiming that these institutions are becoming increasingly intolerant of anti-Semitism and hatred. His comments follow a series of protests at universities across the United States, where students have gathered to condemn the rising death toll in the Gaza Strip. These protests have posed challenges to university administrators, who are trying to balance free speech rights with allegations of criminal activity, anti-Semitism, and hate speech. Herzog emphasized the need for unity and resilience in the face of these challenges, calling on Jewish communities to stand strong against anti-Semitism and to fight for their rights to believe and belong.
Over the past few weeks, more than 30 US universities have witnessed protests against Israel’s war with Hamas. These demonstrations have sparked fierce clashes, leading to a heavy police presence on campuses. Police have forcibly dispersed protesters, prompting concerns about excessive force. Columbia University and the City University of New York have been particularly impacted, with hundreds of arrests and allegations of rough treatment by officers. University presidents are facing criticism for calling in police, while students demand the right to peaceful protest.
Heavy police presence at Columbia University has heightened concerns of clashes with student protesters over pro-Palestinian demonstrations. The protests have spread to dozens of campuses nationwide and have resulted in numerous arrests and threats of expulsion. The seizure of Hamilton Hall by demonstrators has drawn criticism from the White House, which labeled it as an inappropriate approach to peaceful protest. The unrest has posed challenges for university administrators trying to balance free speech rights with concerns of anti-Semitism. Protesters at Columbia remain determined, vowing to stay until their demands, including divestment from Israel, are met. The situation has escalated, with police intervening to clear encampments and arrest protesters at several other campuses across the country.
