Scott Visits Jewish Students in Campuses Rocked by Palestinian Protests

US Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) personally visited Jewish students at George Washington University (GW) in Washington, D.C. following anti-Israel Palestinian protests. 

The protests at GW are the latest in a chain of nationwide demonstrations across college campuses criticizing the US’s support for Israel’s war efforts against Hamas. 

The protests, while mostly peaceful, have periodically turned violent, with students vandalizing and destroying school property.

President Joe Biden recently addressed the protestors and defended their freedom to express their beliefs while warning violent protest would be subject to criminal prosecution. 

“There’s the right to protest, but not the right to cause chaos,” President Biden said. 

Conservatives have criticized protestors for both their actions and their speech, claiming their chants and messages directly threaten Jewish-Americans. 

Many protestors openly call for the destruction of the state of Israel, and some have alleged the idea justifying Israel’s creation is a “racist settler-colonial ideology.”

Senator Scott published footage demonstrating protestors engraved “long live the intifada” on campus property, which refers to using violent means to counter Israeli interests. 

Antisemitic speech is considered by the State Department to include expressions claiming Israel’s existence is a racist endeavor or otherwise denying Jews’ self-determination rights. 

Scott criticized GW’s president’s failure to condemn what he considers are pro-Hamas and antisemitic demonstrations.

“My daughter attended GW and what I am seeing on that campus today is something I never could have imagined,” said Scott.

“Our Jewish students deserve to have a place where they can live and learn without fearing for their safety—starting with university leadership that has the backbone to stand for their safety, or step aside,” continued the senator. 

While meeting with pro-Israel and Jewish students, Scott reassured them of his support for Israel and of his initiatives to ensure their safety while on campus.