Texas A&M University: Administration Investigates Student for Alleged Antisemitic Comments

On April 1, 2026, the StopAntisemitism X account shared a video of Texas A&M University student Yousef Mahdy approaching two students tabling for Students Supporting Israel. In the video, Mahdy directs the following remarks to them: “Free Palestine,” “it’s the genocide supporters,” “what’s up stink Zionists, dirty scums?” and “when will these guys learn to get the hell out of our country?” Chancellor Glenn Hegar then posted on X that “harassing others with hateful and demeaning language is unacceptable. There is no place at The Texas A&M University System for that kind of behavior. We are reviewing the facts, and will act if our policies have been violated.” On April 8, FIRE wrote TAMU, explaining that Mahdy’s comments do not meet the legal definition for punishable harassment under federal law and that the university is obligated under the First Amendment to protect speech deemed offensive or hateful. We urged TAMU to cease the investigation into Mahdy and refrain from meting out any punishment.