Gimenez Slams Northwestern University for Antisemitism

The heads of some of the top universities in the country were questioned by lawmakers today during the third congressional hearing on rampant antisemitism in the university campuses. Northwestern University President Michael Schill was one of the presidents that was questioned by congressional Republicans. On social media, Florida Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R) criticized the Northwestern University president's "silence" over one of his professors allegedly spreading antisemitic rhetoric.

Northwestern University journalism Professor Steven Thrasher is alleged to have taught his students that Hamas were justified in their actions against Israel.

Rep. Gimenez, in a video posted on social media, explains that the journalism professor "has been working with outside agitators, teaching outside agitators and also some students how to take over buildings and how to create weapons."

Earlier this week, Rep. Gimenez further warned of the dangers that the professor poses to Northwestern's student body, saying that "Staff like Professor Steven Thrasher continue to peddle hateful antisemitic canards. This professor has employed hateful rhetoric, invoked antisemitic tropes, and fostered a hostile environment that endangers Jewish students on campus."

Rep. Gimenez assured that Republicans would take the Northwestern president "to task," and that hopefully that would lead to him resigning.

"The president from Northwestern has to explain to our education committee why he is allowing these types of activities to happen at his university. Why is he allowing antisemitism to fester at his university, and why is he allowing Jewish students to feel threatened at his university?"

During the hearing, President Schill shared personal stories of family members who were both victims and survivors of the Holocaust. As well, he reminded that the university denied the demands from campus protestors, "and the commitments we made are consistent with our values."

North Carolina Rep. Virginia Foxx (R), the House Committee on Education and the Workforce Chairwoman, chastised the university president. "Mr. Schill, you cut a disgraceful deal with the encampment that prompted seven Jewish members of your own antisemitism advisory committee to resign in protest," she said.