In an aggressive move to put an end to antisemitism on campus, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed an executive order Wednesday targeting hate speech at the state's higher education institutions. According to a press release by the governor's office, the new mandate directs colleges and universities to review and update their free speech policies, with the inclusion of a definition of antisemitism and the institution of "appropriate punishments" for any violations, up to and including expulsion.

Abbott cited a noticeable rise in antisemitic acts "in number, size and danger" since the Israel-Hamas conflict which flared up in October 2023, as reported by KENS5. The executive order particularly notes the necessity to ensure groups such as the Palestine Solidarity Committee and Students for Justice in Palestine are to be disciplined if found in violation of these revamped policies.

"Antisemitism is never acceptable in Texas, and we will do everything we can to fight it," Abbott said. "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," he told CBS Austin. The executive order is clear that while Texas supports free speech, it does not extend to rhetoric that incites violence or disrupts the educational missions of the institutions.

The order is also a response to recent incidents like the antisemitic graffiti found at several Texas university campuses, including one such case at the University of Texas’ Jewish organization, Texas Hillel, earlier this month. "Texas supports free speech, especially on university campuses, but that freedom comes with responsibilities for both students and the institutions themselves,” the executive order asserts. Such speech can never be allowed to incite violence, to encourage people to break the law, harass other students, or disrupt the core educational purpose of a university.

Every public university in Texas has been given 90 days to report back to the governor's Office of the Budget and Policy Division with documentation showing compliance, as per the executive order’s mandate. This move by Governor Abbott is seen as a direct effort to ensure that campuses remain a safe space for all students, particularly members of the Jewish community who've felt the brunt of these recent hateful acts.