As the new academic year begins, Attorney General Ashley Moody has issued a reminder to Florida’s higher education institutions about their responsibility to protect Jewish students from harassment and antisemitism. This reminder follows a rise in antisemitic protests across the nation and destructive incidents witnessed at colleges and universities during the previous academic year.
Moody emphasized the state’s strong stance against antisemitism, stating, “Last year, my office circulated a memo reminding higher education officials of Florida’s zero-tolerance policy for antisemitism. While other states saw their campuses engulfed in chaos and, in some cases, crime, Florida set an example by taking swift action. As the new school year begins, we reaffirm our commitment to making Florida a safe place for Jewish students.”
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The letter Moody sent to higher education officials highlights incidents following the October 7 attacks on Israel, where university administrators across the country failed to protect Jewish students from harassment and allowed protests to disrupt campus life. Moody pointed out that Florida schools, in contrast, ensured the safety of Jewish students and maintained order on campus.
Moody also warned that failing to protect Jewish students could result in significant legal consequences for colleges and universities, citing a recent federal court ruling against UCLA. The court found that Jewish students were excluded from campus areas due to their refusal to denounce their faith, which the court deemed “unimaginable” and “abhorrent” to religious freedom guarantees. Such failures, Moody warned, could also jeopardize federal funding.
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The letter concludes by calling on Florida colleges and universities to renew their commitment to making the state “the best in the nation for education and the safest for Jewish students.”
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