Prohibits funding for certain SUNY, CUNY or community colleges or organizations on such campuses which, directly or indirectly, permit terrorist organizations

• Republican12

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Steve Rhoads says this is needed

The sudden, brutal and unconscionable Hamas attack against Israeli civilians on October 7, 2023, has led to a stunning increase in hate. US-based advocacy groups are reporting a sustained spike in hate inci- dents against Jewish and Muslim individuals since the attack and the resulting outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas. In fact, the Anti-Defamation League had already recorded over 2,000 antisemitic incidents in the United States through July of 2023. The ADL found that in the eight weeks immediately following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, antisemitic incidents in the United States increased by 337%, according to data shared with CNN. Between October 7 and December 7, the Anti-Defamation League reported 2031 antisemitic incidents, over two-thirds of which were directly linked to the fighting in Israel and Gaza. By comparison, there were 465 incidents over the same period in 2022. Shockingly over 400 of these incidents occurred on college and university campuses. SUNY and CUNY campuses should be institutions of higher learning where all students have the opportunity to learn in an environment free from dangerous speech and/or actions in support of terrorism or groups that sponsor or commit acts of terrorism as recognized by the Federal govern- ment. This amendment to the state Education Law seeks to prevent our institutions from becoming ideological war zones where hate, the incite- ment of violence and the celebration and glorification of acts of terrorism and organizations that promote them, are permitted to flour- ish. This Amendment establishes requires the withholding of financial aid from any institution of the State University of New York or City Univer- sity of New York which directly or indirectly permits organizations designated as terrorist organizations under 8 U.S.C. § 1189 and bans the funding and use of campus facilities or property by any student or faculty group, organization or other entity which directly or indirectly promotes, encourages, advocates for or permits activities on campus in support of terrorist organizations as designated under 8 U.S.C. § 1189. SUNY/CUNY land and taxpayer dollars will no longer provide the stage for purveyors of hate, violence and terror to perform.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.