Dear Editor,
I am glad the House overwhelmingly passed a resolution to condemn antisemitism and support for Hamas on campuses; yet, I’m sad that 20 Democrats and 1 Republican voted no. Each Congressperson’s rationale for voting appears to be aimed at their voting base and lacks clear, sound reasoning. For example, the “I voted no because I am for free speech.” Well, I am for free speech too, yet it is not absolute. There are limits to free speech, including provoking violence and hate. I found those praising Hamas, a terrorist organization that murders babies, burns individuals, rapes women and takes hostages as martyrs, and the Hamas Charter disgusting. I also find individuals chanting “kill the Jews” or committing violence and threatening violence against them on social network platforms disgusting. Many a pro-Palestine rally seems to be a pro-Hamas rally. As president Biden said, “there is no justification for terror.” He also said, “silence is complicity.”
Universities have failed to deal effectively with antisemitism on campus for too long; they have tolerated hate by students and faculty. They seem not to be aware that some students are brainwashed by some professors; others, by Students for Justice in Palestine, which maintains affiliation with Arab and Islamic terror groups.
Passing a House resolution was a nice gesture, but more actions are needed. Here are some suggestions :
*Congress and state legislatures need to withhold funds from universities that can’t control antisemitism on their campus.
*We need to pray for the safe return of hostages.
*We, who are university alums, need to write the presidents of our schools about our concerns and to withhold our donations if they can’t control the situation.
*We need to donate to non-profits that are helping victims of terror with food, health, housing, and education needs, such as Federation, Friends of IDF, Magen David Adom, JNF and ZAKA. And there are many others.
*Those who support Hamas need to be identified and monitored by the FBI for they are potential domestic terrorists.
*Students on student visas who support Hamas need their visas revoked and deported.
*If students and faculty are citizens and support Hamas, they need counseling. If any provoke or commit antisemitic violence, they need to be suspended and the matter referred to law enforcement.
Hopefully your readers have other suggestions of actions they can take that will combat antisemitism on and off campuses.
Bob Schneider
Cincinnati, OH