The Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission (THGAAC) welcomes Governor Greg Abbott’s recent executive order to fight antisemitism at colleges and universities and ensure a safe learning environment for Jewish students and all Texans.  

“We are proud that Texas is taking concrete steps to fight back against anti-Jewish hate and keep students safe on our college campuses. The Texas Holocaust, Genocide and Antisemitism Advisory Commission stands ready to support Gov. Abbott and university leaders in this important work,” said THGAAC Chairman Kenneth Goldberg. “In the wake of October 7, Texas has a duty to lead the nation and world in raising awareness and taking action. This executive order is a powerful tool in doing so.”  

On March 27, Gov. Abbott signed an Executive Order requiring that all higher education institutions in Texas review their free speech policies to establish appropriate punishments for antisemitic rhetoric on college and university campuses, ensure that policies that address the sharp rise of antisemitic acts are enforced and include the definition of antisemitism in free speech policies.  

“Antisemitism is never acceptable in Texas, and we will do everything we can to fight it,” said Gov. Abbott. “The State of Texas stands with Israel and the Jewish community, and we must escalate our efforts to protect against antisemitism at Texas colleges and universities and across our state. Across the country, acts of antisemitism have grown in number, size, and danger to the Jewish community since Hamas’ deadly attack on October 7. Texas took immediate action to protect Jewish schools, synagogues, and other key locations. Many Texas colleges and universities also acted quickly to condemn antisemitism, but some radical organizations on our campuses engaged in acts that have no place in Texas. Now, we must work to ensure that our college campuses are safe spaces for members of the Jewish community.” 

To read the full Executive Order, click here: Link to the Executive Order: https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/EO-GA-44_antisemitism_in_institutions_of_higher_ed_IMAGE_03-27-2024.pdf