Boston, MA - Amy Carnevale, Chair of the Massachusetts Republican Party (MassGOP), released the following statement.

On October 7th, 1,200 Israeli and foreign citizens were brutally murdered by Hamas in the largest slaughter of Jewish individuals since the Holocaust. Since this tragic event, Hamas has held 133 hostages, including at least 5 American citizens. The MassGOP stands firmly behind Israel’s right to self-defense and their imperative mission to bring these hostages safely back to their families.

Prominent politicians across the Commonwealth, including Governor Healey, Senator Elizabeth Warren, and Representative Ayanna Pressley, have voiced their support for a ceasefire. However, their endorsement of a ceasefire sends a troubling message and contributes to the misinformation surrounding this conflict. It’s crucial to recognize that it is Hamas who holds the responsibility to ensure the safety of the hostages and bring an end to this war. Ceasefire only benefits Hamas, allowing the organization to remain intact. It implies that they can evade accountability for their actions and maintains Hamas’ position of power. A ceasefire does nothing but embolden the terrorist organization and rewards them for the atrocities they have committed.

Imagine if a hostile nation had committed similar atrocious war crimes, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 Americans and the capture of hostages. America would undoubtedly take every possible measure to secure the safe return of the hostages and prevent such an attack from ever happening again. We cannot afford to overlook the gravity of the situation or misdirect our efforts towards a ceasefire that fails to address the root cause of the conflict.  

Regrettably, across the nation, and particularly here in Massachusetts, misinformation has seized control of the narrative, shifting it to one that sympathizes with Hamas’ agenda. As per its charter, Hamas has unmistakably declared its objective: the utter annihilation of Israel. What is deeply troubling is the resonance of this goal on college campuses across the United States, including those in Massachusetts.  

Encampments have sprung up on campuses throughout the Commonwealth, adorned with signs bearing the chilling phrase “from the river to the sea,” a term that is employed to advocate for the eradication of the state of Israel and thereby the extermination of its jewish population. Such venomous rhetoric must never find a place for acceptance, particularly on our college campuses, where Jewish students have found themselves living in fear, hesitant to openly express their identity and discuss the impact of the conflict in Israel on their loved ones.

The Anti-Defamation League has conducted a study revealing a staggering statistic: 73% of Jewish college students have either experienced or witnessed some form of antisemitism since the commencement of the 2023-2024 school year. This alarming figure underscores the urgent need to confront and combat antisemitism in all its manifestations, ensuring that our educational institutions remain havens of tolerance, inclusion, and respect for all.

Massachusetts colleges and universities have leaned on the First Amendment to justify the continuation of these hateful protests. However, it’s vital to understand that the First Amendment does not shield calls for violence against specific groups of individuals, which have sadly become all too prevalent across various protest platforms. Furthermore, colleges and universities have the full authority to impose limitations on these protests based on time, place, and manner restrictions. However, they have failed to exercise this right.

This past weekend illustrated the horrifying prevalence of antisemitic protests on college and university campuses. At MIT, a sign boldly proclaiming, “Those in Solidarity with our corpses but not our rockets is not one of us,” epitomized the alarming rhetoric. Similarly, at Northeastern University, chilling shouts of “kill the Jews” echoed through the campus from protesters. At Harvard University, students chanted, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” while disgracefully lowering the American flag and raising the Palestinian flag in its place.

Such messages not only condone but actively advocate for violence. It’s imperative that we recognize and denounce these dangerous expressions, protect our communities from the pernicious effects of such incitement, and ensure that Jewish and pro-Israel students are welcome on campus and continue their education.

The protests across the Commonwealth have flagrantly violated numerous guidelines and rules set forth by these colleges and universities. While the MassGOP holds the First Amendment in the highest regard, it’s evident that many aspects of these protests egregiously exceed the protections afforded by students’ First Amendment rights. Instead, they have led to harassment and the creation of an unsafe environment for Jewish and pro-Israel students.

The MassGOP implores all colleges across the Commonwealth to swiftly dismantle these hateful protests and to levy appropriate consequences for those involved in fostering a hostile and discriminatory environment for Jewish and pro-Israel students. No institution of higher learning should receive federal funding if it condones or permits such discriminatory and hateful protests to persist which violates students’ civil rights. It’s imperative that our elected leaders take a stand against intolerance and safeguard the rights and well-being of all students on our campuses.