RELEASE: Gottheimer Statement on Rutgers University Lecturer’s Participation in Hamas-Affiliated Webinar

NEW JERSEY — U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) released the following statement after a lecturer at Rutgers University was found to have participated in a webinar with a Hamas-affiliated organization. 

“It’s outrageous that yet another Rutgers faculty member, Hamid Abdeljaber, spoke on an antisemitic webinar tied to Hamas, a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization. Not only did Hamid defend Hamas as part of a so-called ‘resistance,’ but he also celebrated its actions while promoting harmful antisemitic tropes and false narratives.

This is just the latest example of rampant antisemitism on campus that threatens the safety of Jewish students. It follows a Faculty Union December 2024 vote to approve an antisemitic BDS resolution. Last year, a university-funded center openly promoted antisemitic, anti-Israel propaganda. Jewish students at Rutgers deserve to feel safe and welcome on campus and in the classroom.

Rutgers University must not tolerate faculty members spewing vile antisemitism or conspiracy theories about the Jewish community. I have repeatedly called on Rutgers to take action against faculty who express antisemitic and anti-Israel rhetoric, and I will continue to do so until real action is finally taken.” 

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