Garbarino, Moskowitz, GW Alumni in Congress Call on University President To Launch Investigation Into Antisemitic Messages Projected On Campus Building
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Last night, members of George Washington (GW) University's chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) projected antisemitic messages on a campus building. Today, Congressman Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY-02), joined by Congressman Jared Moskowitz (D-FL-23), led a letter to GW President Ellen M. Granberg calling on the university to condemn this action, protect its Jewish students, and launch an investigation. Both members are alumni of the university. Additional GW alumni co-signed the letter including Representatives William Timmons (R-SC-04), Jill Tokuda (D-HI-02), Erin Houchin (R-IN-09), Darren Soto (D-FL-09), and Neal Dunn (R-FL-02).
"The events of October 24th are only the latest in a string of disturbing antisemitic instances at GW. Two weeks ago, The Student Justice for Palestine organization held a “Vigil for the Martyrs of Palestine,” during which masked speakers hailed those who attacked and killed Israeli civilians – burning people alive, raping women, killing babies in their cribs, and abducting women and children as hostages," the Members wrote.
"Nearly a quarter of undergraduate students at GW are Jewish. These students fear for their lives and do not feel safe. GW must make clear to its student body that this despicable behavior won’t be tolerated, and an investigation must be launched without delay," the letter concludes.
The full text of the letter can be found here and below.
Dear President Granberg:
As alumni of The George Washington (GW) University, we write today in total disgust for the images projected on Gelman Library on the evening of October 24th. The glorification of Hamas terrorists and calls for the destruction of Israel is vile and antisemitic. GW must condemn these actions in the strongest possible terms and take immediate steps to protect its Jewish students.
The events of October 24th are only the latest in a string of disturbing antisemitic instances at GW. Two weeks ago, The Student Justice for Palestine organization held a “Vigil for the Martyrs of Palestine,” during which masked speakers hailed those who attacked and killed Israeli civilians – burning people alive, raping women, killing babies in their cribs, and abducting women and children as hostages.
Earlier this year, Jewish and Israeli students filed a complaint against Dr. Lara Sheehi, who has posted hateful rhetoric against Zionism and Israelis and was accused of alarming discriminatory behavior against Jewish and Israeli students. In 2021, an individual broke into a fraternity house at the University and desecrated a Torah, and in 2020, a Jewish student found antisemitic graffiti, including a Swastika, in his dorm room. These are just some examples of the pattern of increasing antisemitism at GW.
Nearly a quarter of undergraduate students at GW are Jewish. These students fear for their lives and do not feel safe. GW must make clear to its student body that this despicable behavior won’t be tolerated, and an investigation must be launched without delay.
Sincerely,
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