Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick and Assemblyman Ra Unveil Legislation to Withhold State Aid to Higher Education Institutions that Fail to Report Antisemitism

 S.7773/A.8279 would implement antisemitism awareness and prevention sensitivity training at all higher education accredited institutions. This comes in response to the unprecedented number of reports and recorded evidence of antisemitism on many campuses across the nation, which have often resulted in dangerous situations for Jewish faculty and students alike.

"Some institutions of higher education have become unfettered breeding grounds for antisemitic activity, with hatred building up from simple rhetoric all the way to physical acts of violence. It has become increasingly evident that many administrations are not adequately addressing this surge and, in some instances, are failing to react appropriately regarding faculty who encourage this abhorrent behavior. New York State taxpayer dollars should not be used to support any education institution that is allowing such hatred to run rampant on their campuses. This legislation would prevent any institution that fails to comply with its provisions from receiving State aid or assistance until such compliance is achieved,” said Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick.

"Standing against antisemitism is not just a moral imperative, it's an urgent call to ensure the safety and dignity of every New Yorker. The alarming surge of antisemitic incidents following the Hamas terror attack underscores the pressing need for decisive action. No individual should ever face hate-driven harassment or discrimination. It's a fundamental right for students, irrespective of their backgrounds, to feel secure in their educational environments. I’m sponsoring the DSA Act because I'm committed to fortifying protections and creating a shield against bigotry,” said Assemblyman Ed Ra.

The Anti-Defamation League reports that incidents of antisemitism in New York State alone accounted for 15.7 percent of all documented antisemitic incidents in the United States in 2022, the highest rate of reported antisemitic incidents of any State throughout the nation.

“Our college campuses should be bastions of free thought and open debate, not breeding grounds for hate and intolerance. The alarming rise in antisemitic incidents at our institutions of “higher learning” is an affront to the Judeo-Christian values on which this nation was built. The "Dismantling Student Antisemitism Act" is a prudent and accountable measure that will compel our colleges and universities to take a stand against antisemitism and ensure the safety and well-being of Jewish and all students. We must never forget that an attack on any faith is an attack on all faiths,” said Assemblyman Ari Brown, a cosponsor of the bill.

The full text of the legislation can be found here.