Jackson Purchase News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered remarks today on the Senate floor addressing anti-Semitism and support for Israel.

“It’s been a few weeks now since most of America’s college students went home for the summer,” McConnell stated. “The outbreak of organized hate that swept the campuses of the nation’s so-called elite universities has somewhat quieted down.”

McConnell criticized what he described as “zealous Hamasnik tent-dwellers” and their plans to attend the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this August. He also took aim at local politicians, stating, “As if Chicago’s own soft-on-crime politicians haven’t done enough to damage what used to be a thriving city.”

He further commented on recent events at universities such as Berkeley and George Washington University, saying they were left with “deep and lasting scars” from past spring events. Referring to Columbia University, McConnell cited a new report from a task force investigating anti-Semitism on campus following October 7th.

“The findings are chilling,” he said. “On top of well-documented outbursts by student radicals, members of Columbia’s faculty turned classrooms into safe spaces to indulge the world’s oldest form of hate.”

McConnell shared specific incidents from the report: “‘One professor encountering a Jewish-sounding surname while reading names before an exam asked the student to explain their views on the Israeli government's actions in Gaza. Another told their class to avoid reading mainstream media, declaring that ‘it is owned by Jews.’ A third revealed a student's complaint about an offensive comment regarding Jews by publicly displaying their email to fellow students.’”

He expressed concern that anti-Semitism is pervasive not only in academia but also within political circles. He mentioned that next month, several elected Democrats plan to boycott a joint session of Congress welcoming Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu.

“Their plans, of course, are predictable,” McConnell remarked. “When Prime Minister Netanyahu last addressed Congress in 2015, nearly 60 members refused to attend.”

He criticized certain Washington Democrats for supporting movements like Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) and individuals who express anti-Semitic views.

“But I’m also proud to live in a country that the world expects to stand with our allies,” McConnell continued. He accused President Biden and other elected Democrats of straining this expectation through their conduct towards Israel.

“Grotesque attempts to interfere in Israel’s politics by calling for the removal of its Prime Minister have lowered the bar for outrageous behavior,” he said.

McConnell emphasized that micromanagement and withholding assistance have complicated Israel's efforts against terrorism.

“Next month’s joint session ought to be an opportunity to demonstrate to the world that America’s commitments to allies facing existential threats cannot be held hostage by the loudest fringes of our politics,” he asserted.

He concluded by stating what he believes Israel needs: “Israel needs the weapons the President has withheld. It needs the time and space to finish the job against terrorists trying to destroy it… And Americans should be united in support.”