The letter from the caucus urges university presidents to join University of Louisville President Dr. Kim Schatzel and Murray State University President Robert Jackson in signing a statement that "condemns Hamas and affirms the humanity of Israelis and Palestinians alike."
The letter, sent by Representative Daniel Grossberg and Senator Lindsey Tichenor on behalf of the KY-Israel Caucus, comes amid polling that shows a generation split — with more young people more likely to support Palestinians or hold an unfavorable view of Israel.
The letter to university presidents says, "college students are facing the greatest levels of campus antisemitism in history" in the wake of the October 7th attacks and Israel's response.
Rep. Grossberg wrote that the "lack of public support from many of our university leaders, however, is deeply concerning."
The letter was delivered via email on November 30.
Read the full letter below.
Dear Presidents,
The US House of Representatives voted unanimously (414-0) on Tuesday evening to condemn Hamas for the attacks of October 7th and their continued violations of international law. This was a powerful statement to the nation at large.
College students are facing the greatest levels of campus antisemitism in history. They are threatened, harassed, intimidated, and dehumanized, even by faculty who openly deny the events of October 7th, praise Hamas, and call for extermination of the Jewish state. These students are seeking the same moral clarity and reassurance from their University leaders that we, as a nation, got from Congress Tuesday night.
Please join President Schatzel of the University of Louisville and President Jackson of Murray State University in signing a statement of University presidents that condemns Hamas and affirms the humanity of Israelis and Palestinians alike.
Here is the content of the brief statement:
**We Stand Together With Israel Against Hamas
We are horrified and sickened by the brutality and inhumanity of Hamas. Murdering innocent civilians including babies and children, raping women and taking the elderly as hostages are not the actions of political disagreement but the actions of hate and terrorism. The basis of all universities is a pursuit of truth, and it is times like these that require moral clarity. Like the fight against ISIS, the fight against Hamas is a fight against evil. We, the presidents and chancellors of universities, colleges and higher education associations across the United States of America and the world, stand with Israel, with the Palestinians who suffer under Hamas’ cruel rule in Gaza and with all people of moral conscience.**
As Martin Luther King Jr said, “In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” You have a powerful voice. Please use it.
Sincerely,
Representative Daniel Grossberg and Senator Lindsey Tichenor on behalf of the KY-Israel Caucus.
