NYC mayoral candidate Bill Thompson. Photo: Wikipedia

New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Bill Thompson ripped Brooklyn College Thursday for its plan to hold a BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) event against Israel with the co-sponsorship of the school’s political science department.

Speaking alongside Assemblyman Dov Hikind, a political heavyweight in the Brooklyn Jewish community, Thompson said, “Those are our taxpayer dollars. We should not be using those dollars to express hate.”

Thompson also posted this statement to his website:

“New York has always been a city where people from all backgrounds come together. We will not allow it to become a place where communities are driven apart. Taxpayer funded institutions, like Brooklyn College, should not endorse divisive rhetoric, whether it’s anti-Israel, anti-Arab, or targeting any particular group.

“The 1st Amendment right of free speech extends to every single American, including those we may disagree with. However, it doesn’t mean a city college should endorse that speech.

“I call on Brooklyn College to end its support of this anti-Israel forum. As mayor, I will bring together New Yorkers from all backgrounds for constructive dialogue that fosters tolerance and cooperation among all.”

Thompson’s statements echoed those of Jeffrey Weisenfeld, a trustee of CUNY, the public education system of which Brooklyn College is a part, who wrote on The Algemeiner website Wednesday, “I call upon taxpayers to draw a line here and make it known: taxpayer dollars should not fund illegitimate, racist and anti-Semitic activities by any academic department.”