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The Moore You Know: April 19, 2024- May 3, 2024

May 6, 2024
Column

Standing against antisemitism

At college campuses across the country this week, protesters ripped down the American flag and replaced it with the Palestinian flag while exclaiming “From the river to the sea”, “Intifada”, and “Zionists don’t deserve to live,” phrases associated with the eradication of the Jewish people.  

At the University of California Los Angeles, groups of protesters clashed violently, kicking and beating each other. Just hours earlier, police had to intervene at Columbia University after pro-Hamas protesters took over an administrative building on campus and even briefly took a maintenance worker hostage.  

Many of these agitators are calling for universities to divest from Israel, and most of those arrested are not affiliated with the campuses on which they were protesting. The College Democrats put out a warning to those who do not support the protests, saying: “Each day that Democrats fail to stand united for a permanent ceasefire, two-state solution, and recognition of a Palestinian state, more and more youth find themselves disillusioned with the party.” 

I believe in the First Amendment right to free expression, but many of these demonstrations have involved violence, against other protesters and law enforcement, and the mass destruction of property. The First Amendment does not allow for criminal activity.  

Instead of pandering to his radical base, Biden should call these protests what they are: blatant antisemitism.  

And rather than allowing this chaos that puts Jewish students, law enforcement, and others in danger, universities should condemn antisemitism and restore law and order. Students across America deserve a safe learning environment, and anything less is unacceptable. 

The rot of antisemitism in the wake of the horrendous October 7,2023, attacks on Israel has been allowed to fester far too long. I believe we should take away federal funding for universities that allow Jewish students to be discriminated against, violating federal law. The left-wing media and Democrats would never remain silent if this was happening to other minorities. 

God bless the law enforcement and students who have stepped in to help re-raise the American flag after its desecration on several campuses. It is my prayer that America would continue to stand with Israel and the Jewish people as they fight for their very existence.  

If you need help from my office with the VA, IRS, or another federal agency, or if we can help you with a government service like processing a passport request, I hope you will reach out to us. We’ve resolved over 4,700 cases since I took office in 2021. Visit one of my offices in Wetumpka, Dothan, Andalusia, Troy, or Washington, call us at 334-478- 6330, or visit barrymoore.house.gov to learn how we can help.  

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