Josh Gottheimer criticizes Rutgers University’s BDS resolution
News

Josh Gottheimer criticizes Rutgers University’s BDS resolution

Posted on by Amelia Pressman

Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-New Jersey) condemned Rutgers University faculty unions for voting to adopt a boycott, divestment and sanctions resolution earlier this month.

The resolution adopted by the Rutgers Adjunct Faculty Union and the Rutgers American Association of University Professors-American Federation of Teachers was anti-Semitic and called for a public university to break away from a key Democratic ally and cut academic affiliations, he said last Friday.

“Although I am a strong supporter of free expression, I strongly condemn hate and anti-Semitism,” Gottheimer said. “The hateful, anti-Semitic BDS movement calls for the destruction of the democratic state of Israel, America’s most important ally. It is unacceptable and has no place on college campuses or in our country – especially not at Rutgers.

In fact, under New Jersey state law, it is illegal for New Jersey state pension and pension funds to invest in companies that boycott Israel or Israeli companies. I call on Rutgers University to immediately and publicly reject this harmful resolution and reaffirm its commitment to promoting a safe and inclusive environment for all students and faculty.”

The vote was another example of anti-Semitism on campus, he said, adding that a Rutgers professor who shared an anti-Semitic social media post in 2017, according to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, belonged to one of the unions.

People look at a BDS stand with photos and Palestinian flags calling for “Free Palestine” in Dam Square in central Amsterdam, Holland, on June 24, 2016. Photo by Hadas Parush/Flash90 (Source: HADAS PARUSH/FLASH90)

JTA reported that Prof. Michael Chikindas shared a Facebook post discussing derogatory Jewish stereotypes behind America’s ills. Rutgers condemned Chikindas at the time.

The unions announced the result of the vote on December 13, saying that 58% voted in favor of the resolution. Voting began on November 11th and ended on November 22nd.

Resolution details

The resolution, which reiterated allegations that the State of Israel is complicit in apartheid, ethnic cleansing, “school murder” and genocide, called for the expropriation of the university’s foundation from companies and organizations linked to the Israeli government’s alleged crimes. It called for a review of investments to identify and terminate them. The university was also asked to stop investing in government bonds of the State of Israel in the future.

The unions called for the suspension of a 2021 agreement with Tel Aviv University regarding the New Jersey Innovation and Technology Hub.

Like many U.S. universities, Rutgers University has seen massive anti-Israel activism and protests on its campus since the October 7 massacre.

Stay up to date with the latest news!

Subscribe to the Jerusalem Post newsletter

In May, Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway testified before the U.S. House Education and Workforce Committee, detailing how he handled the 72-hour encampment on his institution’s campus and developed a relationship with TAU.

In April, Holloway, who announced in September that he would not remain president in the coming academic year, fled the town hall of a Rutgers University student meeting after pro-Palestinian students disrupted the meeting with pro-terrorism and anti-Israel chants disturbed and kidnapped.



Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *