Duval Times

Since the October 7, 2023 terrorist attack against Israel, cases of antisemitic harassment have increased more than 500 percent at college campuses across the United States. Many Institutes of Higher Education (IHEs) have failed to prevent or stop antisemitism and have not been held responsible.

U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rick Scott (R-FL) introduced the Preventing Antisemitic Harassment on Campus Act to hold IHEs accountable by requiring enforcement of federal antisemitism prohibitions.

"Colleges and universities claim to value diversity and inclusion but have failed to address dangerous antisemitic incidents that have been plaguing campuses for the past year. My Preventing Antisemitic Harassment on Campus Act is a critical step toward ensuring that our educational institutions carry out their responsibility to protect Jewish students from hate and discrimination," said Senator Rubio.

"Jewish students deserve to be safe, and any college or university in this nation that's enabling antisemitism on campus and leaving students terrified for their safety must be held accountable. Colleges and universities must reject all forms of hate and prejudice and hold those accountable who are complicit in the rise in antisemitism we are seeing on campuses across the country. I am proud to join Senator Rubio in introducing the Preventing Antisemitic Harassment on Campus Act to address these issues head-on," stated Senator Scott.

Specifically, this bill would:

- Extend the scope of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination on the basis of religion (with an exception for programs or activities affiliated with religious organizations).

- Codify clear, escalating penalties for IHEs that are repeat offenders.

- Require that Title VI is enforced as vigorously against antisemitic discrimination as it is for all other forms of discrimination.

- Require IHEs to notify students, faculty, and staff if they are found to be in violation of Title VI.

- Require the U.S. Department of Education to monitor private lawsuits brought against colleges that receive federal financial assistance for antisemitism.

For more information:

September 2024: ICYMI: Rubio, Clement Present Plan to Stop Antisemitism on College Campuses

May 2024: Rubio Urges Columbia University to Refund Students

November 2023: Rubio Introduces Bill to Suspend Terrorist Activity on College Campuses

October 2023: Rubio, Colleagues Call on Biden to Enforce Existing Law, Revoke Visas of Hamas Sympathizers

October 2023: Rubio, Banks, Colleagues Insist DC Rename Plaza Following BLM Pro-Hamas Rhetoric

October 2023: Rubio, Colleagues Urge Removal of Hamas and Terrorist Supporters