Moreno Calls on Ohio Universities to Establish Plans to Combat Violent Antisemitism on Campuses

WASHINGTON -Today, Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) penned a letter to the presidents of Ohio's fourteen public universities urging them to protect their Jewish students against the rampant rise of antisemitic violence.

"Jewish Americans are under attack in this country. Americans have witnessed the manifestation of rampant antisemitism on college campuses all over the country. Horrifyingly, hate crimes and domestic terrorism have plagued the Jewish community. Recently, in this country, Jewish Americans have been murdered in cold blood and burned alive. These attacks are reminiscent of 1939. It is 2025-the violence against Jews must stop," wrote Moreno. "As the senior United States Senator for the state of Ohio, I want to make sure that university leaders are doing all they can to ensure students are free not only to learn on college campuses but also to feel safe while doing so, regardless of their religion."

Read the letter HERE or below.

September 9, 2025

The Honorable Walter "Ted" Carter Jr.
President
The Ohio State University
University Square South, 15 East 15th Avenue, Fifth Floor,
Columbus, Ohio 43201

Dear President Carter,

I am writing to ensure that your university has plans in place to combat antisemitism. Universities must protect both students' religious freedom and safety while on campus.

Jewish Americans are under attack in this country. Americans have witnessed the manifestation of rampant antisemitism on college campuses all over the country. Horrifyingly, hate crimes and domestic terrorism have plagued the Jewish community. Recently, in this country, Jewish Americans have been murdered in cold blood and burned alive. These attacks are reminiscent of 1939. It is 2025-the violence against Jews must stop.

In 2024, the United States witnessed the highest number of antisemitic incidents in almost 50 years. Antisemitic incidents increased by five percent in 2024. This increase is in addition to the 344 percent increase in antisemitic incidents over the past five years and an 893 percent increase over the past 10 years.

The Trump Administration is taking strong and necessary action to combat antisemitism. On January 29, 2025, and January 30, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 141884 and accompanying Fact Sheet to address Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism. Following the issuing of Executive Order 14188, the Office for Civil Rights of the United States Department of Education opened investigations into 5 universities "where widespread antisemitic harassment has been reported" and sent letters to an additional 55 universities that are under investigation for antisemitic harassment and discrimination "in response to complaints with OCR." Additionally, the Department of Justice established a multi-agency Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, which plans to visit ten university campuses that have experienced antisemitic incidents since October 2023.

As the senior United States Senator for the state of Ohio, I want to make sure that university leaders are doing all they can to ensure students are free not only to learn on college campuses but also to feel safe while doing so, regardless of their religion.

I suggest your institution consider adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. This definition provides clarity on what constitutes antisemitism and can serve as a tool on campus to help combat hate crimes and foster a safer environment for Jewish students.

In addition, please respond to my office no later than ten business days of receipt of this letter with the answers to the following questions:

• What measures do you plan to take or have already taken to address the unacceptable and disgusting rise in antisemitism?
• How do you plan to protect students' safety while on campus from antisemitism and/or other religiously motivated crimes?

Sincerely,

BERNIE MORENO
United States Senator