The Student Government Association Senate of the Catholic University of America (SGA Senate) at Catholic University of America (CUA) in Washington, D.C., recently advanced a controversial resolution seeking to ban student organizations that support the nation of Israel. The measure, titled “Resolution 004: A Resolution to Advocate for a Ban on Clubs in Support of a Nation(s) Commissioning a Genocide,” was tabled for two weeks after passing initial committee review on October 28, 2025.
The draft resolution claimed that “supporting a Nation or organization that is actively pursuing inexcusable evil, such as genocide or terrorism, acts in a way that is contrary to the faith of the Catholic Church.” The language specifically targeted the school’s recognised chapter of Students Supporting Israel (SSI), which hosts events on Israel and is accused in the resolution of supporting “a Nation(s) condemned by the Human Rights Council of genocide.”
One of the co‑sponsors of the resolution, student senator Joshua Ortiz, previously took part in a disruption of an SSI‑sponsored event where two soldiers from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) shared their testimonies from the October 7, 2023 Hamas‑led terror attack. At that event, approximately 50 protesters disrupted the proceedings.
SSI President Felipe Avila condemned the proposed ban, calling it “a profound betrayal of our Catholic intellectual tradition.” He argued the resolution reflects suppression of free debate rather than engagement, stating the university is “built on the pursuit of truth, not the suppression of it.”
The university itself issued a statement regarding related controversies, including the removal of an October 7 memorial display of Israeli flags by SSI, asserting the removal was in accordance with its flags policy and not a reflection of the university’s views on Israel.
As the university administration reviews the measure, the outcome may set a precedent for how Catholic institutions navigate complex global issues on campus. The final decision will likely influence future discourse surrounding student rights and institutional values.
