North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis has urged for expulsions and deportations, while Representatives Virginia Foxx and Richard Hudson have called for accountability.
U.S. Representative Kathy Manning, who was born to Jewish parents in Michigan just over 67 years ago, provided words of support amidst the escalating conflict between Hamas and Israel in the Middle East, which has also sparked tensions in the United States.
North Carolina’s congressional delegation took to social media on Monday to address the wave of war-related protests happening on college campuses across the country. Notable among these protests were those at Columbia University on 116th and Broadway in New York City, as well as Yale University in New Haven, Conn.
In a 68-second video shared on social media in the afternoon, Manning, D-N.C., expressed her thoughts on the current challenges faced by the Jewish people. In her Passover message, she acknowledged the ongoing conflict in Israel and the alarming increase in antisemitism not only in the United States but also on college campuses and globally. Manning emphasized the significance of these difficult times for the Jewish community.
During her speech, she expressed her hope that the audience would pause and reflect on the significant progress that has been made and the remarkable history, values, culture, and contributions that the Jewish people have brought to the world.
Many people sent their blessings to those who are celebrating the Passover, a significant Jewish holiday that commemorates the exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. In the United States, Passover started at sundown on Monday and will end after nightfall on April 30th.
In the afternoon, Senator Tillis, a Republican serving his second term, retweeted and added his comment to a post about a controversial incident at the University of Michigan. The post claimed that a “pro-terror mob” was distributing flyers on campus with the message “Freedom for Palestine means Death to America.” The tweet included photos of individuals standing under a banner that read “Encampment for Gaza! Divest now!” and showcased the flyer in question. Senator Tillis responded to this tweet by sharing it on his own profile.
In a repost, Tillis expressed his strong stance on foreign students or American students who spread terrorist rhetoric. He firmly believes that any foreign student engaging in such behavior should be deported, while any American student should be expelled and transferred to the University of Tehran, which he considers to be their rightful place.
The University of Tehran gained notoriety in 1979 when several students who opposed the Iranian revolution were tragically killed on its grounds. This prestigious institution has long been associated with political activism and the shaping of ideological beliefs.
In a recent tweet, Representative Foxx, a longstanding member of the Republican party, shared a statement made by House Speaker Mike Johnson. The Speaker emphasized the importance of standing against antisemitism and expressed solidarity with the Jewish community during this time of Jewish freedom celebrations. He called for continued support for Israel and the right of Jewish individuals to practice their faith without fear.
In her capacity as the chairwoman of the House Education and Workforce Committee, Foxx took action on Sunday by writing a letter to Columbia President Dr. Minouche Shafik and trustees co-chairwoman Claire Shipman and co-chairman David Greenwald. In this letter, she expressed her concern that Columbia University is not living up to its commitments. Foxx highlighted the alarming situation where Jewish students are facing harassment, assault, threats, and intimidation, leading them to leave the campus in search of safer environments.
In addition, she emphasized the need for accountability, stating that the individuals involved in the disturbance, including members of various groups such as Students for Justice in Palestine, Jewish Voice for Peace, Columbia University Apartheid Divest, and Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine, have repeatedly and openly violated numerous university regulations, and in some instances, even federal laws. She firmly believes that the university must take decisive action to hold these individuals responsible for their actions, which may include severe consequences such as expulsion and termination of employment.
Hudson, a first-term Republican, expressed his alignment with Foxx’s letter by addressing the issue on social media. In a post, he strongly condemned the antisemitic hate spread by pro-Hamas protestors at Columbia University, finding it utterly disgusting. He called on the university’s leadership to swiftly take action to put an end to these attacks on Jewish students or consider resigning from their positions.
U.S. Representative Greg Murphy from North Carolina expressed his outrage on social media, condemning the appalling situation unfolding at Columbia University. He criticized President Biden for failing to directly address the disturbing antisemitism, suggesting that the President is prioritizing appeasing his base over taking a stand against it.
The Democratic Party needs to take a stand against and eliminate the presence of anti-Semitic ideology that is infecting their ranks.
Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson expressed his concern about the growing issue of antisemitism in universities across the country. He took to social media to share his thoughts, stating that it is completely intolerable. Lt. Gov. Robinson found it appalling that institutions like Columbia University, which are supposed to promote learning and inclusivity, have become breeding grounds for such divisive hatred.
“Our educational institutions, ranging from the prestigious campuses of Harvard to the humble classrooms of local elementary schools, have a responsibility to cultivate spaces that promote respectful dialogue and foster mutual understanding. It is imperative that we confront this issue directly and guide our academic communities towards a trajectory that uplifts and empowers the upcoming generation, rather than perpetuating biases and fueling racial tensions.”
