Stefanik Addresses Campus Antisemitism, Higher Education Crisis at YU
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) criticized the rise of antisemitism on college campuses and the response of university leadership during the latest Great Conversations event on April 22, held in celebration of Yom Haatzmaut.
Speaking at the Wilf Campus event hosted by President Ari Berman, Stefanik pointed to elite universities and social media platforms as key drivers of what she described as a growing crisis in higher education.
The event took place in Furst Hall, with approximately 200 attendees registered via CampusGroups. Stefanik also discussed her forthcoming book, “Poisoned Ivies,” which critiques contemporary higher education.
“Congresswoman Stefanik has demonstrated extraordinary courage in addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing higher education today,” Berman said in a statement. “At a time when universities are confronting fundamental questions about their very existence, her leadership has helped shape a national conversation that puts the spotlight on moral clarity.”
Stefanik opened by reflecting on her upbringing in upstate New York and her path to Congress, crediting her parents with instilling strong values that later motivated her to advocate against antisemitism.
“When I was an undergraduate at Harvard University, we had a very vibrant Jewish community,” she said. “I was able to join many of my friends in Harvard Hillel… it was unrecognizable to me to see what was happening on college campuses post October 7th, particularly in the Ivy League.”
Stefanik also discussed her viral questioning of university leaders during a congressional hearing on antisemitism, which eventually led to the resignations of Harvard President Claudine Gay and University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill.
“I did not realize that the question I asked would be the one that went viral,” Stefanik said. “I thought they were going to answer it correctly… ‘Does calling for the genocide of Jews violate your university’s code of conduct?’ I assumed they would say yes. I didn't have the opportunity to follow up because they answered that it ‘depends on the context.’”
She added that footage of the exchange, broadcast on C-SPAN, garnered hundreds of millions of views online.
In a moderated discussion, Berman asked Stefanik about the broader causes of antisemitism on college campuses. She pointed to social media algorithms — especially TikTok — which she said amplify anti-Israel content while silencing pro-American and pro-Israel perspectives. She also cited foreign funding from countries such as Qatar and China as a source of influence on U.S. universities.
Stefanik argued that institutions of higher education have a responsibility to uphold moral clarity and transmit foundational American values to students. Following the discussion, Stefanik took questions from students in the audience.
Stefanik has represented New York’s 21st Congressional District since 2015. She was nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, though the nomination was later withdrawn to preserve the Republican Party’s narrow majority in the House. In 2025, Stefanik announced a campaign for governor of New York but later withdrew from the race and said she would not seek reelection to Congress, citing a desire to spend more time with her family.
“Listening to Elise Stefanik speak about the importance of instilling values on college campuses illuminated just how critical YU’s role is in the college landscape,” Yishai Gross (YC ‘27) told The Commentator. “Her dedication to fighting antisemitism and saying what she truly believes, even when it’s unpopular, is part of what makes her such an important figure in politics and an invaluable friend to the Jewish community.”
Photo Caption: President Berman hosting Congresswoman Elise Stefanik
Photo Credit: Daniel Kohn
