Dems Block Jewish Leader From George Mason Board After Student Arrested For Anti-Israel Terrorism

Virginia Senate Democrats are attempting to block the nomination of a prominent advocate against anti-Semitism from joining George Mason University’s Board of Visitors, weeks after a George Mason student was arrested for helping plot a terror attack on Israel’s consulate in New York.

Kenneth Marcus, described by The New York Times as “The Man Who Helped Redefine Campus Anti-Semitism,” was appointed by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin in June. However, the Virginia Senate Democrats voted this week to reject his appointment in the Privileges and Elections Committee.

Marcus is the founder and leader of the Brandeis Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting civil and human rights for Jewish people. He previously served as the Assistant U.S. Secretary of Education for Civil Rights in the first Trump administration and was a Distinguished Senior Fellow at George Mason’s Antonin Scalia Law School.

Marcus, who has been serving in the position since his nomination last summer — Virginia law allows nominees to serve prior to confirmation — was blindsided by the amendment that struck his name from the resolution of appointments.

“I was surprised and dismayed to learn of yesterday’s action and I am hopeful that the general assembly leadership in both chambers will reconsider,” Marcus said. “I have been at work trying to strengthen George Mason University for months now.”

Virginia’s legislature still has opportunities to add Marcus’s nomination back into the resolution, though sources say it could be an uphill battle.

During the brief debate, Sen. Aaron Rouse (D) noted that out of respect, appointees could not be referred to by name in the discussion. In response, Sen. Bill DeSteph (R) followed the guidelines of not using names, but questioned why certain nominees were being removed, stating, “I think members of the committee should know why certain nominees are stricken. Otherwise, if we infer the reason, it could go in the wrong direction.”

Sen. Adam Ebbin (D), who championed the amendment, responded, “I think that we found the nominees to be inconsistent with the expectations, goals and values we have for the work of those boards.”

A spokesman for Sen. Tara Durant (R) told The Daily Wire that Durant and every Republican voted against the amendment that removed Marcus’s appointment and others.

“There was no transparency in why the individuals were removed after inquiring to the Chair and the Senator that made the motion,” the spokesman said.

Durant later voted with 14 out of 15 members to approve the rest of Youngkin’s nominations.

Marcus emphasized his efforts in helping George Mason University take “significant actions,” including helping with the implementation of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism into the university’s anti-discrimination policy.

Marcus noted that GMU’s adoption of the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism was helpful in Harvard’s settlement agreement this week in two lawsuits alleging the school of mishandling anti-Semitism on campus, which resulted in Harvard also adopting the definition.

“It’s not every day that Harvard University follows George Mason’s lead, so I was very pleased that that happened this week,” Marcus said.

“George Mason has not been immune to the anti-Semitic developments happening in higher education and there have been highly publicized incidents recently which has been a concern of mine and my colleagues,” Marcus told The Daily Wire.

Last month, George Mason freshman and Egyptian national Abdullah Ezzeldin Taha Mohamed Hassan was arrested for planning a terrorist attack on Israel’s consulate in New York. The student who operated pro-ISIS social media accounts glorifying violence against Jews faces 20 years if convicted of trying to teach someone how to create an explosive with intent to murder internationally protected persons.

“I have been deeply honored by Governor Youngkin’s nomination and have been proud to help GMU and its students,” Marcus added. “I certainly would appreciate any support that would be provided.”

Committee members Rouse, DeSteph, Ebbin, Sen. Craig Deeds (D), Sen. Travis Hackworth (R), Sen. Glen Sturtevant (R), Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg (D), Sen. Jennifer Carroll Foy (D), Sen. Russet Perry (D), Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim (D), Sen. Tammy Milchi (R), Sen. Kannan Srinivasan (D), and Sen. Luther Henry Cifers (R) did not respond to a request for comment.