Chairman Cassidy Sounds Alarm on Rampant Antisemitism at San Jose State, Demands Action to Protect Jewish Students

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, raised serious concerns following repeated antisemitic incidents at San Jose State University (SJSU) that threaten the safety of Jewish students.

Last week, vile antisemitic threats were graffitied on SJSU building walls, including "SJSU, Sorry, But for Allah 3/11 Will Be 9/11," "Kill All Jews," "Goal 5 Jews Min," and "Make Osama Proud." Additionally, there was another instance of vandalism last fall with Swastikas and threats of a mass shooting targeting Jewish and other minority students etched in a campus bathroom. To date, SJSU officials have failed to hold any individuals accountable for these threats.

"Antisemitic threats are vile and have absolutely no place in our educational institutions or on college campuses," wrote Dr. Cassidy. "San Jose State University officials' response to growing antisemitism on the campus premises is inadequate and demands accountability."

"It is imperative that University administrators rise to the occasion to take a firm stand against antisemitism and racial violence," continued Dr. Cassidy.

Since the October 7 terror attacks, Cassidy has led Senate Republicans in combating antisemitism. Specifically, he is leading the Protecting Students on Campus Act, legislation that empowers students to file civil rights complaints if they experience violence or harassment on college campuses due to their heritage.

Read the full letter here or below.

Dear Dr. Teniente-Matson:

I write to you concerning reports of alarming antisemitic graffiti found on the premises of San Jose State University (hereinafter, "University") last week.¹ The graffiti, found scrawled on building walls, stated "SJSU, Sorry, But for Allah 3/11 Will Be 9/11," "Kill All Jews," "Goal 5 Jews Min," and "Make Osama Proud."² In response, the University offered "a counseling session," which reportedly no one attended-due to the fact that Jewish students feared for their physical safety and did not want to gather in large numbers to become easy targets in the face of a very real threat.³ On Friday afternoon, the University sent out a campus-wide message stating "the graffiti was removed from the campus bathroom and no evidence has been identified to indicate a credible threat."⁴ However, this has done little to allay fears among Jewish students. In speaking with a media outlet, University Jewish Faculty and Staff Association President Philip Heller said "[w]e have seen physical violence in the past and my concern is that we'll see more."⁵

These reports are appalling and reflect a lackadaisical and laissez-faire attitude on the part of university officials, given this is not the first instance of antisemitism occurring on campus.⁶ Only last fall, there was another instance of vandalism with Swastikas and threats of a mass shooting targeting Jewish, Chinese, and Muslim students found etched on a University bathroom stall, which led some professors to pivot to virtual learning or cancel classes altogether.⁷ Although the threat was not deemed credible, it did not alleviate growing fear and concern among students and faculty.⁸ To my dismay, it does not appear that the University released official statements condemning the acts of vandalism and racial attacks carried out either last week or last fall.

Recent events at the University fall against the backdrop of a rising number of antisemitic attacks in San Jose. Just last week, two Jewish men were unprovokedly attacked for their Jewish ethnicity and for speaking Hebrew on Santana Row.⁹

As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), it is my responsibility to ensure that Jewish students across the country are protected and have a safe, welcoming learning environment on campus. Antisemitic threats are vile and have absolutely no place in our educational institutions or on college campuses. It is imperative that University administrators rise to the occasion to take a firm stand against antisemitism and racial violence.

San Jose State University officials' response to growing antisemitism on the campus premises is inadequate and demands accountability. As a result, please respond to the following questions, on a question-by-question basis, no later than Thursday, April 2, 2026:

1. What action(s) has the University taken in response to the antisemitic graffiti found on University premises last week?
2. Has the University found the perpetrator(s) who carried out this act?

1. If so, what disciplinary or criminal action(s) has the University taken against these persons?
2. If not, what action(s) has the University taken to find these persons and to bring them to justice?
3. Please provide details of the current investigation.

1. How has the University responded to fears and concerns over well-being and safety expressed by Jewish students and staff and other members of the University community?
2. Following this incident, has the University advised students and faculty of safety precautions or protective measures put in place?

1. If not, please explain why not.

1. Which person(s) were responsible for offering a counseling session in the aftermath of last week's antisemitic incident?

1. Under the circumstances, why was a counseling session recommended as the best course of action?
2. Has the University offered counseling sessions for incidents of this nature in the past? Please explain.
3. Did the University consider that Jewish students may fear for their physical safety at a counseling session where they would gather in large numbers?
4. If so, what measures were taken to ensure their physical safety?
5. Please provide copies of planned presentations and materials to be distributed at the counseling session.

1. Has the University released an official statement in response to last week's antisemitic graffiti incident? If not, why not?

1. Did the University release an official statement in response to the act of vandalism conducted last fall? If not, why not?

1. Please provide an update on the investigation from last fall and provide copies of any findings, including applicable reports.

1. Were any disciplinary actions taken in response to the findings of this investigation?

1. Has the University received complaints alleging antisemitic harassment or discrimination within the past five years?

1. If so, how many instances of antisemitism (including threats, incidents of physical violence, etc.) have been reported at San Jose State University since 2020?
2. How were these complaints investigated and resolved?

1. What training or educational programs (if any) has the University implemented to address antisemitism and other forms of discrimination?
2. What steps is the University taking to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future?

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