Duval Times

Today, following Joseph Edelman’s resignation from the Brown University Board of Trustees over the board's decision to hold a vote endorsing the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, Senator Rick Scott sent a letter to Brown University’s Board of Trustees urging them to reconsider the decision to hold this vote which supports the BDS movement against the State of Israel and reaffirm their commitment to fostering a campus environment free from antisemitism and discrimination.

Senator Scott expressed his concerns in a letter that read:

"Earlier this week, the Wall Street Journal published an opinion piece by the now-former trustee of Brown University, Joseph Edelman, in which he announced his resignation over the board's decision to hold a vote on endorsing the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against the State of Israel. I commend Mr. Edelman for his conviction and willingness to call out the board’s action to appease radical anti-Israel protestors who have attempted to take over college campuses across the nation, displayed disgusting antisemitism, and in some cases been violent toward Jewish students."

Scott emphasized that institutions failing to stand up against hate and antisemitism should not receive federal taxpayer funding. He mentioned his efforts alongside Senator Tim Scott to pass legislation aimed at addressing such issues:

"I strongly believe that colleges and universities that fail to stand up to hate and antisemitism do not deserve to receive federal taxpayer funding, and I am fighting to pass my and Senator Tim Scott’s bill, the Stop Antisemitism on College Campuses Act, to force consequences on universities like Brown that endanger Jewish students by caving to radical groups, some funded by Iran, that sympathize with Hamas terrorists and wish to destroy the State of Israel."

Scott also highlighted concerns about how BDS impacts Jewish students:

"The BDS movement has been widely criticized for its impact on Jewish students and communities, often fostering an environment where antisemitic attitudes can flourish and spread like wildfire. For Jewish students on campus, the endorsement of such a vile movement proves that antisemitic and anti-Israel views have taken over university leadership. Normalizing views that delegitimize Israel... normalizes and rewards... abhorrent behavior... critically undermining Jewish students’ sense of security..."

Scott reiterated his commitment against antisemitism from his tenure as governor:

"I have long been committed to combating antisemitism and supporting Jewish communities. As governor, I was the first to sign landmark legislation prohibiting BDS in the State of Florida..."

He further urged Brown University’s Board of Trustees not to accommodate what he described as "radical groups":

"...This decision by the board... serves as a stark reminder of... imminent threat[s]... Today,... protestors seek[ing]... [to] intimidate... [and] silence Brown’s Jewish community into subservience. The Brown University board should not be accommodating..."

The letter concluded with an appeal for academic institutions like Brown University:

"It is imperative that academic institutions like Brown University reject all forms of hate and prejudice..."