NEW YORK- Morton A. Klein, National President of the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA), this week made a presentation before a U.S. Senate group on the problem of rising anti-Semitism on American college campuses.

The ZOA president spoke at a special meeting of the Senate Republican Conference, in the Capitol building on March 26, 2003.

ZOA president Klein He noted that in recent months, there have been numerous swastikas daubed on Jewish buildings on campuses; the smashing of windows of dormitory rooms where Israeli flags had been displayed; the distribution of anti-Semitic literature such as The Protocols of the Elders of Zion and fabricated “Talmudic” quotes intended to make Jews appear evil; and demonstrations where signs bore slogans such as “Jews = Nazis,” “God Hates Jews,” and “Go Home Kikes.”

The ZOA president added: “Anti-Jewish hatred is a growing and serious problem on many college campuses today. Sometimes the haters try to hide behind the mask of ‘anti-Zionism’ or ‘criticism of Israeli policies,’ but there can be no doubt that it is old-fashioned bigotry in a new guise. The failure of some university administrators to take swift and appropriate action against the haters is deeply troubling. The Senate Republican Conference is to be commended for taking a serious interest in this growing problem.”

The U.S. Senators in attendance included Rick Santorum (PA), Robert Bennett (UT), Sam Brownback (KS), Norm Coleman (MN), and representatives of Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (TN) and Senators Lindsey Graham (SC) and George Voinovich (OH); and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Education Louis Goldstein. Other Jewish organizations whose representatives attended or spoke included the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Committee, and Hillel, as well as a representative from Steve Emerson’s Investigative Project.

Senators Santorum and Brownback said that Congress should consider taking action to address the problem.