Rep. Randy Fine Slams College Presidents on Antisemitism at House Hearing

Rep. Fine's Opening Remarks

• 😔 Representative Randy Fine expresses that the hearing has been "hard to sit through" due to "repulsive and repugnant commentary."
• ✡️ He apologizes to Jewish people for the difficult commentary and shares his personal commitment to fighting antisemitism, even mentioning actions taken against university officials in Florida.
• ✡️ Fine states he will wear a Keepa in honor of students who don't feel safe wearing it themselves on campus.

Free Speech vs. Discrimination

• ❓ Fine poses a hypothetical to Dr. Raymond: what would happen to a student on campus with a sign saying "no blacks on campus"?
• 🚫 Dr. Raymond initially hesitates but eventually states such a student would not be allowed to walk around, implying they would not be protected by free speech.
• 🚩 Fine then points out that at Haverford College, students held a sign saying "no Zionists on campus" with no consequence, questioning the double standard.

Allegations of Antisemitic Beliefs and Actions

• ❓ Fine asks Dr. Raymond if he believes Jews are responsible for COVID-19, framing it as a conspiracy theory.
• 🗣️ He questions a professor's statement about Israel using CO as a tool for settler colonialism, asking if the title "CO in times of genocide" was thoughtful and considerate.
• ❌ Dr. Raymond denies making a statement about the title and states he does not believe it today, asserting that Zionists are welcome on campus.

Professor's Statements and Hiring Practices

• 🚫 Fine highlights a professor who stated, "The only way to deal with Zionists is to stop talking to them and refuse to let them waste your time."
• ❓ He questions how this is acceptable on campus and if it reduces students' access to education.
• ❌ Dr. Raymond states discrimination is not acceptable, but Fine points out the professor still works there.
• 📢 Fine also brings up a visiting assistant professor who wrote, "October 7th was a beautiful site to wake up to this morning," and that the school offered them another position.
• 🚨 Fine urges the university president to fire the professor who made such a statement.

Impact of Hearings and ADL Report

• 📊 The hearing concludes with a mention of the ADL's campus antisemitism report card, suggesting that the committee's activities are having an impact, with some universities showing improvement while others still receive "terrible grades."