Legislation being introduced on Tuesday would put terrorist supporters, including those backing Hamas and those who call for violence against Jews, on the no-fly list, as anti-Israel campus protests engulf colleges across the country.
Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., is introducing the No Flights for Terrorists Act, which would put individuals on the Transportation Security Administration’s no-fly list if they have encouraged violence against Jews, pledged support for terrorist groups, or have been disciplined by higher education institutions for such conduct.
Terrorist organizations are designated as such by the secretary of state, and include Hamas, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, Palestine Islamic Jihad and the Palestine Liberation Front. Currently, the no-fly list is a small subset of the terror watchlist that contains the information of known or suspected terrorists.
The bill is being co-sponsored by Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and comes after thousands of protesters have been arrested at colleges and universities in recent weeks, since the formation of an encampment at Columbia University on April 18.
There have been a number of allegations of discrimination against Jewish students, with students saying they feel unsafe on campus and have been intimidated. One student group from Columbia Law reportedly declared that no Jew is "safe" or "free" until "Palestine" is free.
@ISIDEWITH2 tjedna2W
Where should the line be drawn between freedom of speech and actions that are considered support for terrorism?
@ISIDEWITH2 tjedna2W
Do you think it's fair for students to be put on a no-fly list for participating in protests, even if those protests are about deeply held beliefs?
@ISIDEWITH2 tjedna2W
How do you feel about the idea of labeling someone a 'terrorist' based on their political protests or expressions of support for certain causes?
