House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., delivered a powerful speech at a Holocaust remembrance ceremony held in the Capitol on Tuesday. During his address, Johnson expressed deep concern over the rising trend of anti-Israel protests on college campuses across the United States.
Johnson highlighted the alarming shift in the atmosphere of American higher education institutions, describing them as increasingly hostile environments for Jewish students and faculty members. He lamented the transformation of campuses that were once renowned for academic excellence into breeding grounds for antisemitism.
The House Speaker painted a troubling picture of the current situation, citing instances where Jewish students faced physical threats and intimidation simply for walking on campus. He decried the use of inflammatory tactics, such as students wielding Palestinian flags to harm their Jewish peers and faculty members aligning themselves with pro-Hamas protesters.
According to Johnson, the troubling behavior exhibited on college campuses includes the dissemination of Nazi propaganda and calls for a global intifada, perpetuating a climate of fear and discrimination against Jewish individuals.
Johnson called for a moment of moral clarity, urging swift action to address the escalating tensions and protect the rights and safety of Jewish students and faculty members. He emphasized the need to confront and eradicate the antisemitic sentiments that have taken root within academic institutions.
The House Speaker's impassioned plea for an end to the madness resonated with attendees at the ceremony, underscoring the importance of upholding principles of tolerance, respect, and inclusivity in educational settings.
