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The New York Times: Amidst the escalating Mideast conflict, American Republican officials have strongly supported Israel, offering various forms of assistance. However, their focus has also turned inward, targeting elite universities and accusing them of fostering a liberal culture that opposes conservative values. Violent threats against Jewish students, pro-Palestinian protests, and doxxing campaigns have intensified debates on college campuses. Republicans perceive these events as part of a larger cultural war over education, which has been gaining momentum since the pandemic. Conservative organizations, previously focused on issues like critical race theory and book policing, are now delving into the domestic political unrest over the Mideast conflict. They call for strict actions against schools perceived to be promoting antisemitism. This stance resonates with different sections of the Republican party, from grassroots activists concerned about school curriculums to evangelical voters and top party members.
At a recent event, Republican leaders accused American universities of harboring far-left ideologies. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis criticized diversity programs in universities, associating them with antisemitism. Despite the rise in antisemitic incidents in the U.S., some leading Republicans, including DeSantis, have not condemned certain antisemitic activities and associations. The situation intensified following a Hamas attack, leading to a significant increase in antisemitic incidents on campuses. The FBI director, Christopher A. Wray, has warned of the rising threat of extremism against Jews and Muslims. While antisemitic threats are politically significant for both major parties, they have revealed fractures within the Democratic party. The Biden administration is intensifying efforts to combat antisemitism on college campuses.
Republicans aim to capitalize on the divisions within the liberal camp, spotlighting progressive Democrats who oppose the Israeli government. Erwin Chemerinsky, a dean at the University of California, Berkeley, feels Republicans are misrepresenting the complex Israel-Palestine issue for political gains. Conservative news outlets have been fervent in covering antisemitic incidents on liberal campuses. Conservative groups, traditionally concerned with domestic educational issues, are also voicing their opinions on foreign matters related to Israel. Representative Jared Moskowitz, a Democrat, stated that Republicans are wrongly linking liberal opinions on Palestinian rights with the dangerous rise of antisemitic messaging.
The entire article can be read at the link https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/01/us/politics/republicans-israel-war-protests-college-campuses.html
