By Lindsay Press
A Republican assemblyman has accused Democrats of blocking a bill again to combat antisemitism as hate crimes against Jewish students continue on college campuses.
Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) expressed frustration that his bill, the Dismantling Student Antisemitism Act (DSA Act), has been held again in the Assembly Higher Education Committee. The hold means that the Act has been blocked from advancing for a full vote of the state Assembly.
The DSA Act would require all colleges and universities in New York to offer mandatory antisemitism sensitivity training for students, faculty and staff, performed by experts in Jewish history, culture, and antisemitism awareness. Institutions that do not comply would be considered ineligible for state aid.
The U.S. Department of Education has recently opened investigations into 60 colleges and universities over allegations of antisemitic harassment and discrimination. Eight of those institutions are in New York State, according to the Democrat & Chronicle. Establishments receiving federal funding are now under heightened scrutiny for failing to safeguard Jewish students, underscoring the urgent need for proactive state-level measures like the DSA Act.
Hillel.org has kept track of antisemitic incidents that have taken place on college campuses during the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 academic years. As of April 2, there were 1,408 antisemitic incidents on campuses during the 2024-2025 academic year, a slight decrease from the 2023-2024 academic year, which saw 1,854 antisemitic incidents.
According to the American Jewish Committee, about 48% of U.S. Jewish college students have said that they feel unsafe on campus and avoid wearing or carrying anything that could help identify them as Jewish. In comparison, The New York Post states that 72% of Jewish students “feel unwelcome” on college campuses, while over half of those students have been victims of antisemitism.
As previously reported by Long Island Life & Politics, Ra’s proposed legislation was introduced to the Assembly Higher Education Committee last year, but, as it happened this year, it was held in committee.
“In the past year, we have witnessed an alarming surge in antisemitic hate crimes, particularly on college campuses. Instead of taking action, the Assembly Majority continues to ignore this threat,” said Ra. “All students, regardless of their background, should be able to learn in a safe and inclusive environment.”
Ra continued emphasizing the significance of these incidents on college campuses, stating, “The climate on college campuses has not meaningfully improved, and continued inaction is not an option. New York has a moral obligation to stand against hate. The refusal to advance this bill sends a dangerous message that antisemitism will go unchecked.”
LILP reached out to the Democrats, but did not hear back as of press time.