Letter from Senator Ebbin and Jewish Legislators in support of GMU President

Senator Ebbin and other Jewish legislators and legislators with Jewish family members sent the following letter to the GMU board of visitors in support of President Washington.

June 22, 2025

Dear Mr. Stimson and Board Members:

Antisemitism, like other forms of hatred, bigotry and intolerance, has no place in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As legislators that are Jewish and members of Jewish families, we join with all Virginians to safeguard this principle.

We also know first-hand that George Mason University is a welcoming campus that combats antisemitism and other forms of bigotry. Under the leadership of President Greg Washington, George Mason, in truth, is an exemplar of respect, acceptance and safety for all faiths and diverse beliefs.

Mason’s leadership, indeed, was recognized this past January, when the campus was chilled by ugly threats of anti-Jewish violence. President Washington and his team acted swiftly and compassionately to calm and ensure safety for all. The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Washington joined with Mason Hillel to offer their praise: “All students — regardless of their faith or religious identity — deserve to be safe and secure on campus and the ability to openly express their beliefs and values without fear of violence. We are confident that the actions taken by GMU leadership will help ensure such an environment for Jewish students and the entire campus community."

We are beyond ashamed to witness the misguided and unjust assault on George Mason University, and on higher education generally that is now politically weaponized. This weapon exploits the very term antisemitism as a way to dismantle or destroy George Mason’s outstanding research and education record.

We have listened to Mason’s faculty, students and staff, as well as Jewish and other faith leaders. President Washington and all leaders at George Mason University have worked conscientiously to build a culture of openness, where learning thrives because students and instructors know they can speak their minds, and most significantly, to speak their hearts.

We urge all Virginians to join us to oppose these unjust, authoritarian and harmful attacks on George Mason University and all universities in Virginia.

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The letter was signed by Senators Adan Ebbin and Scott Surovell, and Delegates Laura Jane Cohen, Dan Helmer, Alfonso Lopez, Marcus Simon, and Kathy Tran.