Newsletter
Newsletter Support JNS

Abbott reminds schools Jew-hatred ‘never acceptable in Texas’

“As we approach the one-year anniversary of the Oct. 7 terrorist attack in Israel,” the governor wrote, “it is crucial that Texas colleges and universities stay vigilant.”

Greg Abbott
Then-Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott speaking at FreePac, hosted by FreedomWorks, in Phoenix, Ariz. on Oct. 13, 2012. Credit: Gage Skidmore via Creative Commons.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, reminded colleges and universities in the Lone Star State about their responsibility to protect Jewish students.

“As I have already made clear, antisemitism is never acceptable in Texas and there is zero tolerance for acts of antisemitism on Texas college and university campuses,” Abbott wrote in a letter to school chairmen and regents.

“As we approach the one-year anniversary of the Oct. 7 terrorist attack in Israel, and in light of recent events and rising tensions in Gaza, it is crucial that Texas colleges and universities stay vigilant,” he wrote. “It is imperative that you continue taking the necessary steps to combat antisemitism on your campuses and ensure a safe environment for Jewish staff, students, and faculty.”

“Texas will continue to stand with Israel and the Jewish community in the fight against antisemitism,” he added.

In March, Abbott issued an executive order “addressing acts of antisemitism in institutions of higher education.”

“I think there are people who are taking vacations, because it’s something that we do and we’d like to do,” Stacey Zrihen told JNS. “It’s a wonderful thing if you can do it, but I don’t think that has to be something that’s considered a necessity.”
“There is democracy within Likud,” Israeli Transportation and Road Safety Minister Miri Regev told JNS.
No injuries were reported. Separately, Israeli soldiers shot dead two terrorists who posed a threat.
Israel’s U.N. envoy says the inquiry shows that anti-Israel hostility is “not organic” and warns of foreign efforts to sow division.