Several Republican US representatives have drafted two bills that would send students arrested during pro-Palestinian protests to Gaza for six months of community service and revoke visas for foreign students.


The first bill, called the Anti-Semitism Community Service Act, proposes to send anyone "convicted or accused of illegal activity" on a US college campus on October 7, 2023, for at least six months of "community service in Gaza."

While the bill does not specifically address the pro-Palestinian tent cities spread across US universities, it does target activism on college campuses starting October 7, 2023, the day after Hamas launched its surprise attack on Israel.

The controversial bill was introduced by Tennessee Representative Andy Ogles, known for his anti-Palestinian stance. In early February, when asked by journalists about the death of Palestinian children, he said: "We have to kill them all."

The second bill, called the Study Abroad Act, seeks to "revoke the F, J, or M visa" of any foreign national "arrested for rioting or unlawful protest" or "arrested while correcting, participating in, or assisting." .

Rep. Jeff Duncan, who co-signed the bill with Randy Weber, expressed his support in a post on X, saying, "We don't need Hamas supporters on American soil who are breaking our laws and instilling hatred for America in our youth."

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