Duval Times

On May 21, 2024, Senator Rick Scott issued an open letter to the presidents of U.S. universities in response to a series of antisemitic events and violence on college campuses nationwide. Senator Scott emphasized that recent incidents are unacceptable and urged universities to take responsibility for addressing antisemitism and protecting their students.

Senator Scott expressed his commitment to ensuring institutions that permit such activities are investigated and held accountable under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. He is advocating for the passage of the Stop Antisemitism on College Campuses Act, which aims to rescind taxpayer funding from any institution that condones antisemitism.

In his letter, Senator Scott detailed specific incidents at various universities:

"At Columbia University, protestors infiltrated a university building. While there, they held a janitor hostage as they shattered windows and barricaded doors and chanted 'We are Hamas.'"

"At UCLA, thousands of anti-Israel protestors disobeyed orders to leave, leading to violent clashes and a Jewish student beaten unconscious."

Protestors also trespassed on university property at Portland State University, Dartmouth College, Fordham University, and MIT—disrupting campus life and threatening Jewish students. Additionally, Hamas signage was spotted at Stanford University, while Palestinian flags replaced American flags at George Washington University and other schools.

Harvard University and Northwestern University were reported to have acquiesced to pro-terror demonstrators' demands. Brown University considered divestment from Israel, aligning with groups opposing the state.

Senator Scott stated: "As the leader of your university, you must recognize that if you condone the lawlessness and chaos of pro-Hamas demonstrators on your campus... you are endorsing it." He urged university presidents to take decisive action against antisemitism: "I implore you to root out the evil antisemitism permeating your campus."

Furthermore, Senator Scott highlighted his efforts alongside Senators Bob Casey and Tim Scott in introducing the Antisemitism Awareness Act. This bill would require the U.S. Department of Education to use the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's working definition of antisemitism when enforcing federal anti-discrimination laws.

For more information on Senator Scott's actions in support of Israel following the October 7th Iran-backed Hamas terrorist attack: [https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/israel](https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/israel).