Universities that boycott Israel should lose federal funding, presidential hopeful Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said Thursday.
Cruz was one of the honored guests at the third annual Champions of Jewish Change International Awards Gala.
The Washington Post reported Cruz told the audience, “If a university boycotts the nation of Israel then that university will forfeit federal taxpayer dollars.” He further equated the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement with “anti-Semitism plain and simple.”
Without specifically mentioning his own candidacy, Cruz told the audience what the next president of the U.S. should do, particularly when it comes to Iran.
“If Iran is on the verge of acquiring nuclear weapons that president in 2017 should stand up to the world and explain very simply either Iran will stop or the United States of America will stop it,” he said.
Cruz pledged to “do everything in my power to speak out and stop any deal that will allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons.”
Among the other honored guests that evening were Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel, Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Ron Dermer, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.). Rabbi Shmuley Boteach served as master of ceremonies.
Cruz was seated at the same table as Republican mega-donor Sheldon Adelson and his wife Miriam, who, alongside Birthright Israel co-founders Judy and Michael Steinhardt, and philanthropists Nily Falic and Mona and David Sterling, served as the gala hosts.
