COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) - A video shared on social media this week by a watchdog group called StopAntisemitism shows a pair of Jewish students on the campus of Texas A&M University being called “dirty scums” and “stinky Zionists.”
The organization identifies the person filming as another Texas A&M student.
Yousef Mahdy - student at @TAMU @tamusystem - films himself harassing Jewish students, calling them "stinky Zionists", "stinky scum", &s creaming "Free Palestine".
— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) April 1, 2026
He then tells them to get the hell out of our country.
Why is this harassment allowed @Glenn_Hegar? pic.twitter.com/QYI8gpiJRh
In the video, students were standing behind a table with a banner identifying themselves as members of a group called Students Supporting Israel.
Texas A&M responded to the clip, which is less than 2 minutes long, and condemned what happened.
“Texas A&M University condemns antisemitism and all forms of hate. Actions in which people seek to target or intimidate members of our community stand in direct conflict with our core values and our expectations of conduct. We are actively investigating a recent situation and will approach it with the seriousness it deserves, as we do with all concerns involving potential violations of our policies.”
It’s unclear when the interaction took place or how StopAntisemitism received a copy of it, but Texas A&M Chancellor Glenn Hegar has responded by saying the university is reviewing the facts and will act if policies were violated.
"Harassing others with hateful or demeaning language is unacceptable. There is no place at The Texas A&M University System for that kind of behavior," said Hegar.
"This is exactly why we are launching Civil Discourse Symposiums across our universities. Leadership requires respect, discipline, and the ability to engage without demeaning others. That is the standard we expect from every Aggie," said Hegar.
A release by A&M says the event on April 20 on the flagship campus in College Station will allow student leaders to discuss “how to move beyond the social media echo chambers and engage in meaningful dialogue on relevant and tough issues.”
Former Vice President Mike Pence will be the keynote speaker for the event.
Texas A&M University condemns antisemitism and all forms of hate. Actions in which people seek to target or intimidate members of our community stand in direct conflict with our core values and our expectations of conduct. We are actively investigating a recent situation and will… pic.twitter.com/g3JvvNfkV8
— Texas A&M University (@TAMU) April 2, 2026
“This is about more than conversation,” said Chancellor Hegar. “It’s about helping students understand what they believe, listen to others, and lead with integrity. At the Texas A&M System, students are our mission, and preparing them for lives of leadership and service is what we’re here to do.”
Critics online have shared skepticism of the program and pointed to Texas A&M’s recent decisions to prohibit professors from discussing certain topics in class without approval, including race and gender ideology.
“The university that has fired people, rescinded job offers, and cancelled classes and programs over viewpoints that conservatives disagree with is launching a civil discourse series to engage across differences. How utterly bizarre,” wrote Amber Fox Crowell on Facebook.
Some Texas A&M faculty, students, and alumni have voiced concerns about these policies, saying these restrictions would curb meaningful conversations in the classroom and border on censorship.
"Sounds great in theory, but you need to actually invite people who disagree with you to participate, or it’s just a confirmation bias symposium masked as acceptance for publicity," wrote Caroline McHale on Facebook.
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