Overview
Amid rising tensions on college campuses, Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) has urged President Joe Biden to deploy the National Guard to ensure the safety of Jewish students facing antisemitism, particularly at institutions like Columbia University. The senator’s call follows a surge in pro-Palestinian protests linked to the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, which have escalated to violent threats and forced some universities to suspend in-person classes.
Why It Matters
Ensuring the safety and security of all students on campus is crucial to maintaining the integrity of educational institutions and upholding democratic values in the face of growing antisemitic incidents.
Who It Impacts
This situation impacts Jewish students at U.S. colleges who are currently facing threats, as well as the broader academic communities that are grappling with issues of free speech and campus safety.
Article
Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri has officially requested President Joe Biden to mobilize the National Guard in response to escalating pro-Palestinian protests at colleges like Columbia University, which have sparked significant safety concerns for Jewish students. The protests have intensified amidst the ongoing military actions between Israel and Hamas, leading to instances of extreme antisemitism.
Following a call to action by a Columbia rabbi, who advised Jewish students to leave campus for their safety, and the shift to remote learning initiated by university authorities, Senator Hawley emphasized the gravity of the situation. He cited the suspension of in-person classes during the Jewish holiday of Passover as a particularly alarming development that underscores the urgency of federal intervention.
In his correspondence, Senator Hawley referenced President Biden’s recent Passover message, which condemned the harassment and violent threats directed at Jewish students. Hawley pressed the President to align his actions with his words by deploying national defense resources to protect students from the wave of antisemitic violence.
The protests, demanding that Columbia divest from companies linked to Israel, have not only continued but have also led to several arrests and suspensions. Despite these measures, the unrest has persisted, with similar demonstrations occurring at other prestigious institutions like Yale and MIT.
Efforts to quell the tensions have been echoed by other Republican leaders, such as Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and the Republican delegation from New York, who have called for more decisive actions, including the expulsion of individuals involved in harassment and the resignation of Columbia’s President due to perceived leadership failures. Meanwhile, some Democratic representatives, including Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), have also stepped forward, demanding stronger protections for Jewish students, highlighting a bipartisan concern over the issue.
