Charleston Leader

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito and 26 Senate Republican colleagues have called on the Biden administration to take action in protecting Jewish students from anti-Semitic mobs on college campuses. Led by U.S. Senator Tom Cotton, the senators sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, urging immediate measures to address the disturbing rise in anti-Semitic incidents targeting Jewish students.

The senators emphasized the need for urgent action, stating, "You need to take action to restore order and protect Jewish students on our college campuses. President Biden issued a statement on Sunday, purporting to condemn the outbreak of anti-Semitism. If that statement was serious, it must be accompanied by immediate action from your departments."

In response to the recent Hamas-led massacre against Israel on October 7, there has been a concerning increase in anti-Semitic incidents, including targeted harassment of Jewish children in K-12 schools. Senator Capito has been actively involved in condemning these acts and advocating for the administration to address the rising rates of antisemitism.

Senator Capito's efforts include sending letters to Secretary Cardona urging protection for Jewish college students, co-sponsoring the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act to combat anti-Jewish bigotry on college campuses, and addressing antisemitism towards Jewish children in K-12 schools.

Additionally, as the vice chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, Senator Capito has spoken about the rise of anti-Semitism on college campuses across the U.S. and the importance of protecting students. She also led a group of Republican colleagues in Senate floor speeches focused on the issue of anti-Semitism.

The senators have requested Attorney General Garland and Secretary Cardona to provide an update on efforts to safeguard Jewish students by April 24. The full text of the letter can be found on the Senate's official website.