Trump says US colleges could lose accreditation over ‘antisemitic propaganda’ if elected

Crackdown on campus protests

The remarks come in response to widespread protests on US college campuses against Israel’s military actions in Gaza earlier this year. Many student groups demanded that universities cut ties with businesses supporting Israel. While protest groups argue that their criticisms are directed at Israeli policies, Republicans have accused Democrats of fostering antisemitism by supporting these protests.

Trump also mentioned that if elected, he would impose stricter measures, including banning refugee resettlement from “terror-infested” regions like Gaza and arresting “pro-Hamas thugs” involved in vandalism on campuses—a clear reference to the student protesters.

University response and Middle Eastern policy

While Trump did not outline a detailed Middle East policy, he painted a grim picture of what he described as the risks posed by a Kamala Harris presidency for Israel. He said, “You’re going to be abandoned if she becomes president… You’re not going to have an Israel if she becomes president,” though he offered no evidence for the claim.

A spokesperson for Harris, Morgan Finkelstein, rejected Trump’s statements, emphasizing her unwavering support for Israel and condemning antisemitism. Finkelstein pointed out Trump’s past controversial interactions, including a 2022 dinner with white supremacist Nick Fuentes and remarks about the 2017 Charlottesville rally, where he stated there were “very fine people on both sides.”

Republican Jewish Coalition’s support for Trump

The Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) is backing Trump with a $15 million campaign to rally Jewish voters in key battleground states. Funded by donors like Miriam Adelson, widow of casino mogul Sheldon Adelson, the RJC has prioritized expanding the Abraham Accords, a tougher stance on Iran, and either reforming or defunding the United Nations. Trump, who brokered the Abraham Accords during his presidency, is seen by the coalition as pivotal to advancing these goals.

However, efforts to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel have been on hold since the war between Israel and Hamas intensified last year.

(With inputs from Reuters)

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