Two students named in the order say Gov. Greg Abbott's executive order to combat anti-Semitism at Texas universities is a “masked, targeted attack designed to slow down the student movement for liberation.” the group said in a statement Monday.
Mr. Abbott last week directed Texas universities to update their free speech policies to address what he said was a rise in anti-Semitism on campus. He is calling for penalties for school officials, including expulsion, to “ensure that groups such as the Palestine Solidarity Committee and Students for Palestine Justice are disciplined when they violate these policies.”
Abbott said anti-Semitism has been on the rise since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack that killed about 1,200 civilians in Israel, and that “some extremist groups are carrying out unacceptable acts on college campuses.” ” he pointed out.
The two groups mentioned in the executive order have chapters across the country and on multiple campuses in Texas, including Texas Tech University and the University of Texas at Dallas.
A joint statement from the two groups said Mr. Abbott's order violates the First Amendment and is anti-Palestinian.
“We condemn the racist campaign launched in violation of the state and federal constitutions and reaffirm our commitment to fight for the liberation of Palestine in our communities,” the statement read. is written.
Students claim the executive order targets their organization “with the purpose of suppressing speech by intimidating students and campus administrators.”
“The governor utilized state measures at the highest level to suppress our activities,” they wrote. “Our right to demand accountability for our institutions' complicity in genocide and to advocate for the freedom of Palestinians is protected speech.”
Fatima Tulkarem, vice president of the UTD Palestine Justice Student Chapter, said the order stands against the death toll of more than 30,000 Palestinian civilians and removes investments related to weapons manufacturing companies that sell tools used in war. He said that the characteristics of the group's political organization, which urges the group to withdraw, are incorrect.
“Our fight is for justice. We know we are on the right side of history,” the senior said.
Since October 7, university students across the country have organized protests against Israeli military action in Gaza. Student activists called the bombing of hospitals, universities and places of worship genocide and called for a ceasefire.
Students who oppose such actions and support Israeli efforts also report being threatened for their activities.
In his executive order, Abbott said free speech “must never incite violence.”
The Republican governor authorized $4 million to protect synagogues and Jewish schools. It prohibited state institutions from purchasing goods from groups supporting the Gaza Strip or Hamas. He directed the Texas Education Agency and the Texas State Advisory Council on Holocaust, Genocide, and Anti-Semitism to educate Texans about the Israel-Hamas war and anti-Semitism.
A definition of anti-Semitism that campuses must include in their free speech policies has been found to be one of the most effective tools for identifying and combating anti-Semitism on campus. ” Sacha Roitmann, CEO of the Combat Anti-Semitism movement, said in a statement. .
“We appreciate Governor Abbott’s leadership in taking this important step to ensure a safe learning environment for Jewish students in Texas,” she said.
In 2019, then-President Donald Trump signed a similar executive order adding anti-Semitism to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Supporters argued at the time that his orders stifled free speech and targeted those critical of Israel.
Texas student groups pointed out that Abbott's order does not preclude their activities.
“We will not stop fighting the worst colonial violence many of us have ever experienced,” they wrote. “We will not stop working to end the university’s complicity in this genocide.”
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