A group of college Republicans have apologised for handing out a Valentine's Day card that mock Jews who died in the Holocaust.

The card was placed in a gift bag handed out to students by the Central Michigan University Republican student group.

The card reads: 'My love 4 u burns like 6,000 Jews. XOXO, Courtney.'

A group of college Republicans have apologised after handing out a Hitler-themed Valentine's Day card that mocks Jews who died in the Holocaust. The card reads: 'my love 4 u burns like 6,000 Jews'

The message, printed on pink paper, also featured a picture of Adolf Hitler.

The group apologised on Facebook, saying the card was put in one of the bags without the knowledge of others.

They wrote: 'At tonight’s College Republican meeting, we had a Valentine’s Day party, in which each member decorated a bag and other members placed valentines inside of others’ bags.

'Unfortunately, a very inappropriate card was placed into a bag without other members’ knowledge.

'A bag was then given away to students sitting in Anspach [hall], once again without members’ knowledge of its contents.

'The College Republicans as an organization did not distribute this valentine. We in no way condone this type of rhetoric or anti-Semitism.

'We apologize for any offense, and want students to know that we do not tolerate this sort of behavior.'

The card has provoked outrage from students on social media.

CMU student Autumn Gairaud tweeted: 'The Central Michigan University I know doesn't tolerate hate speech. This is not what a Chippewa stands for.'

The group apologised on Facebook, saying the card was put in one of the bags without the knowledge of others. CMU president George E. Ross said: 'This is not who we are'

Central Michigan spokeswoman Sherry Knight told The Morning Sun that the school is "deeply disappointed."

Campus leaders met on Thursday to discuss the situation, while the college students held a rally against hate speech in protest against the cards.

In a statement, Central Michigan University's president George E. Ross said: 'This is not who we are as a campus community.

'Such hurtful, offensive language, while protected by the First Amendment, is unacceptable and is not consistent with our values and standards.

'At Central Michigan University, we stand up against hate, protect the safety of all, and build bridges of understanding that bring people together.'