Sen. Blaise Ingoglia: ‘Universities have become cesspools for antisemitism.’

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill, said prominent universities have become “cesspools” for antisemitism after university leaders did not say students calling for the genocide of Jewish people is a violation of their codes of conduct.

On Tuesday, multiple U.S. Congress members questioned Harvard University President Claudine Gay, Massachusetts Institute of Technology President Sally Kornbluth, and University of Pennsylvania President Elizabeth Magill.

They were asked about the rise of antisemitism on their campuses during a Committee on Education & the Workforce hearing on “Holding Campus Leaders Accountable and Confronting Antisemitism.”

During the committee, Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., pointed to multiple marches at Harvard University where students have chanted “there is only one solution, Intifada revolution” and “globalize the Intifada.”

Stefanik said regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict, Intifada is “a call for violent armed resistance against the State of Israel including violence against civilians and the genocide of Jews.”

When asked if those types of antisemitic chants are against Harvard’s code of conduct, the university’s president said they “embrace a commitment to free expression.”

“Even of views that are objectionable, offensive, hateful,” Gay said. “It’s when that speech crosses into conduct that violates our policies against bullying.”

Stefanik snapped back at Gay after her response, saying, “does that speech not cross that barrier? Does that speech not call for the genocide of Jews and the elimination of Israel?”

“We embrace a commitment to free expression and give a wide berth to free expression, even of views that are objectionable,” Gay responded.

“These universities have become cesspools for leftist ideas, antisemitism and anti-Americanism,” Ingoglia said.

Ingoglia said it is “absolutely reprehensible” that Jewish students that are “sitting there, watching their peers get away with calling for the destruction of not only their homeland, but of them,” and for leaders of the universities to “take no action whatsoever.”

The senator recently filed a bill that would revoke college scholarships from students who promote a terrorist organization on a Florida college or university campus. Rep. John Temple, R-Wildwood, filed an identical bill in the Florida House.

Students would not be eligible for institutional or state grants, financial aid, scholarships, or tuition assistance if they are found to be promoting foreign terrorist organizations during any term of his or her enrollment, according to HB 465 and SB 470.

Under the identical bills, a foreign terrorist organization includes, but is not limited to, Hamas and Palestine Islamic Jihad.

“It’s absolutely shocking to hear presidents of these, you know, big institutions, these big universities, you know, basically give tacit approval for rampant antisemitism and actually having their own students call for the genocide of Israel,” Ingoglia told Florida’s Voice.

“They will be the same people that will basically run somebody out of the university if they say that men should not be playing in women’s sports,” Ingoglia said. “But they’re totally fine when somebody says that they want to get rid of the state of Israel and commit genocide against the Jewish people.”

During the committee hearing, Stefanik asked if Gay was aware that Harvard “ranked dead last when it came to free speech.”

Stefanik pointed to anti-Jewish hate crimes being the number one hate crime in America and told Gay that Harvard ranks the lowest when it comes to protecting Jewish students.

“This is why I’ve called for your resignation,” Stefanik said. “And your testimony today, not being able to answer with more clarity, speaks volumes.”

Stefanik also asked the presidents of MIT and UPenn if “calling for the genocide of Jews” violates the university’s codes of conduct or rules. Neither of them gave a solid answer of yes or no.

“If the speech turns into conduct, it can be harassment,” UPenn President Magill said.

Ingoglia said that the presidents of these universities “don’t want to answer the question.”

“Because then basically, everyone would realize that they agree with the students,” he said. “These universities are creating the environment where not only are they agreeing with it, but they’re perpetrating it also.”

Following Tuesday’s hearing, the Harvard University president clarified her remarks in a statement on the university’s social media and said there are “some who have confused a right to free expression with the idea that Harvard will condone calls for violence against Jewish students.”

“Let me be clear: Calls for violence or genocide against the Jewish community, or any religious or ethnic group are vile, they have no place at Harvard, and those who threaten our Jewish students will be held to account,” Gay said.