Identity of Speakers
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Senator David McCormick
Unaffiliated
OtherRepublican Senator from Pennsylvania
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Senator John Fetterman
Unaffiliated
OtherDemocratic Senator from Pennsylvania
Resources
Additional Information
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Incident Nature:
Other
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Incident Political Orientation:
Not Clear -
Incident Responses:
Other
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Incident Status:
No litigation
- Did not involve Speech Codes
Summary
In August 2025, U.S. Senators John Fetterman and Dave McCormick sent letters to the presidents of five Pennsylvania universities including the University of Pennsylvania, University of Pittsburgh, Temple University, Penn State University, and Lehigh University, expressing concern about antisemitic incidents on campus. They urged university leaders to ensure Jewish organizations had the resources and support needed to protect students and emphasized that no student should have to risk their safety to exercise their rights to assemble or practice their religion.
The letters followed heightened tensions after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, in which militants launched rockets and carried out armed incursions into civilian areas, resulting in significant deaths and injuries. Israel responded with extensive airstrikes, artillery fire, and ground operations in Gaza, causing widespread destruction and a high number of civilian casualties.
Jewish students in Pennsylvania reported harassment, threats, and vandalism of campus Jewish spaces including Hillel centers and Chabad houses. Some students said they felt unsafe openly expressing their identity or participating in Jewish events.
The senators acknowledged actions some universities had already taken including enforcing codes of conduct, suspending student groups that harassed Jewish students, and removing unauthorized encampments on campus. They encouraged continued collaboration with Jewish student organizations and stressed the need for a safe and inclusive environment for all students.
