RELEASE: Gottheimer Statement on CUNY School of Law’s Anti-Israel, Antisemitic Commencement Speech & Antisemitic Law Faculty

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) released the following statement on CUNY School of Law’s Anti-Israel and antisemitic commencement speech:

“This type of vitriolic language is completely unacceptable and is clearly hate speech. Anti-Israel rhetoric incites hatred against Jews and rallies those that seek the destruction of the Jewish State. 

I appreciate the CUNY Board of Trustees and Chancellor calling out the speaker’s remarks as hate speech. However, I am appalled that, earlier this month, the CUNY Law School faculty council approved an anti-Israel resolution supporting the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. BDS is an antisemitic effort to punish the Jewish state.

We need to address the use of antisemitic tropes, including those masquerading as anti-Israel sentiment.

I remain committed to taking all measures necessary to protect students against hate, discrimination, and bigotry — especially Jewish students who face a barrage of antisemitism on their university campuses.”

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