Montgomery, AL – Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has joined a coalition of 25 state attorneys general in addressing concerns over rising antisemitism on college campuses. The coalition sent a letter to Columbia University, urging the administration to resist calls for divestment from Israel and to address campus unrest linked to pro-Palestinian protests.
The letter, directed to Columbia University Interim President Dr. Katrina Armstrong, highlights demonstrations and protests that took place on campus earlier in the year. In April, several pro-Palestinian groups organized encampments and occupation-style protests, calling for the university to sever financial ties with Israel. Although Columbia University resisted those demands, the protests and related pressures have persisted, particularly around significant anniversaries of conflict-related events.
“Some of the groups causing unrest on campus have been tied to international terrorists who have used their propaganda and funds to incite antisemitism, encourage violence, and demand divestment from Israel,” stated Attorney General Marshall. “We are calling on Columbia’s administration to hold the line against these radical demands, including to divest from Israel.”
The letter from the coalition pointed to incidents involving inflammatory rhetoric from campus protest groups. In one instance, it cited a member of the Columbia University Apartheid Divest movement who made a statement suggesting violence against individuals supporting Israel. The coalition expressed concern that such sentiments fuel antisemitic discourse and may contribute to an unsafe environment for students.
In their communication, the attorneys general applauded Columbia University’s decision not to divest from Israel and urged the administration to maintain this stance amid continued pressure. The coalition emphasized the importance of resisting what it described as “blatantly antisemitic pressure” from some campus factions.
The letter was co-led by South Carolina and Arkansas, with support from attorneys general in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia.
This move by the coalition underscores a broader concern among state officials regarding the balance between free expression on campuses and the prevention of hate-fueled activities that could incite violence or discrimination.
