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Congress’ top lawmaker who oversees tax law on Wednesday suggested that colleges that have let pro-Hamas activities take place on their campuses could lose their tax-exempt status.
Rep. Jason Smith, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, said he has been “disgusted” by what he’s seen emerging from campuses and it’s time for schools to pick which side they’re on.
He said some universities, which in the past have been eager to condemn speech they disagreed with, were startlingly silent about pro-Palestinian sentiments in the wake of Hamas’ murderous attack on Israel.
“Some organizations that have celebrated the unspeakable acts of terror that claimed the lives of 30 Americans and hundreds of Israeli men, women and children currently enjoy tax-exempt status in the United States, and their statements call into question the academic or charitable missions they claim to pursue,” said Mr. Smith, Missouri Republican.
He added: “University administrators, for example, have weaponized their institutions to attack speech and free inquiry as violence, yet fail to condemn actual violence that threatens our way of life all while their institutions enjoy lucrative federal tax-exempt status.”
Mr. Smith said schools will “be held to account for their implicit, vile support of Hamas terrorists.”
Most of the country’s colleges operate as tax-exempt institutions under the tax code’s provisions for educational purposes. Not only are their activities related to education not subject to taxes, but also donations to the schools can be claimed as tax write-offs.
Mr. Smith’s office pointed to some examples of disturbing behavior, including 34 student organizations at Harvard University that issued a joint statement saying Israel was to blame for Hamas’ slaughter, and a Northwestern University organization’s statement that said Israel was not the “aggrieved party” in the war.
College campuses have become a particular battleground for blame in the current conflict.
Some major financial donors to Ivy League schools have said they will withdraw support over what they see as a too-tepid backing for Israel.
As for students taking part in pro-Hamas rallies or statements, immigration experts say, that if they are here on student visas, they could be expelled and deported for those activities.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.
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