Sen. Scott Calls for Columbia University President to Resign Over Rampant Antisemitism on Campus

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) released the following statement amid rampant antisemitic protests and incidents on Columbia University’s campus:

“All institutions that receive federal dollars need to be put on notice that Jewish students have the right to go to class and study peacefully and that their funding is a privilege. Every American, regardless of race, religion, or background, deserves the ability to attend class and walk without fear on their campuses and in their communities.  

“President Nemat ‘Minouche’ Shafik needs to resign immediately for allowing students to turn their campus into a breeding ground for hatred. What’s happening at Columbia University is a disgrace to the core values of our nation. Our Jewish brothers and sisters have my unwavering support as we combat antisemitism at home and abroad.” 

Background: 

Throughout the 118th Congress, Senator Scott has worked relentlessly to push back on the alarming rise of blatant and vile antisemitism on college campuses by:

• Introducing the Antisemitism Awareness Act, which directs the Department of Education to use of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism when investigating antisemitic acts on campus;
• Introducing the Stop Antisemitism on College Campuses Act to defund colleges and universities that enable violent antisemitism on their campuses; and
• Forcefully condemning antisemitism and supporting Israel’s right to self-defense in a speech at the Orthodox Union’s Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill.