Photo: SUZANNE CORDEIRO / AFP / Getty Images
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has taken steps to address antisemitism on college campuses in the Lone Star State.
Abbott issued an executive order to address “acts of antisemitism in institutions of higher education.”
"Antisemitism is never acceptable in Texas, and we will do everything we can to fight it," said Abbott in a statement.
"The State of Texas stands with Israel and the Jewish community, and we must escalate our efforts to protect against antisemitism at Texas colleges and universities and across our state. Across the country, acts of antisemitism have grown in number, size, and danger to the Jewish community since Hamas' deadly attack on October 7th.”
“Texas took immediate action to protect Jewish schools, synagogues, and other key locations. Many Texas colleges and universities also acted quickly to condemn antisemitism, but some radical organizations on our campuses engaged in acts that have no place in Texas. Now, we must work to ensure that our college campuses are safe spaces for members of the Jewish community."
Abbott’s action comes with a “review and update” of free speech policies at Texas colleges, requiring them to “establish appropriate punishments, including expulsion from the institution.”
The order also addresses a pair of student groups, the Palestine Solidarity Committee and Students for Justice in Palestine, stating they will be “disciplined for violating” campus policies.