Orthodox rabbis at Columbia University and Barnard College have warned Jewish students that anti-Israel agitators continue to “encamp” on campus, with some protesters caught on camera claiming full support for terrorism and violence. A message was sent advising them to leave campus and return home. against Jewish students.
“As soon as possible” until the situation improves, Rabbi Elie Buechler, director of Columbia/Barnard’s OU-LJIC, said in a WhatsApp message sent to hundreds of people before Passover began. “This is what we are witnessing,” he told the students to leave the school. And the area around campus is horribly tragic. ”
“The past few days, and especially last night’s events, have made it clear that Columbia University Public Safety and the NYPD cannot guarantee the safety of Jewish students in the face of extreme anti-Semitism and disorder,” Buechler said. wrote. “Unfortunately, we strongly advise you to return home as soon as possible and remain at home until the situation on and around campus improves dramatically.”
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Anti-Israel agitators outside Columbia University on April 20, 2024. (Leonardo Munoz/AFP via Getty Images)
The rabbi added: “It is not our job as Jews to ensure our own safety on campus. No one should have to endure this level of hatred, much less in school.”
Rep. Elise Stefanik (N.Y.), chair of the House Republican Committee, said Sunday that Columbia University President Nemato “ Dr. Minoush Shafik called for his “immediate resignation.” He “put the safety of Jewish students at risk.”
Stefanik said the hours Columbia leadership spent preparing testimony before a House Education and Labor Committee hearing last week “clearly enforces its own campus rules and prohibits Jews on campus.” “It was an attempt to cover up a dismal failure to protect students.”
Shafik also allowed New York City police to enter the campus, a day after testifying before Congress and a day after lawmakers chastised her for the lack of consequences for anti-Semitism at the Ivy League school. However, more than 100 people were arrested and suspended from the university on Thursday. She was released from custody.
Anti-Israel camps inside the locked campus are left alone as police watch from behind the gates.
Videos circulating online appear to go beyond simply supporting the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement and the human rights petitions of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, with speakers pointing to Colombian encampments. He has praised the Palestinians, describing it as a “training ground” for “combatants.” In the October 7 attack, Hamas militants massacred approximately 1,200 Jews and took more than 240 hostages.
In addition to “Free, Free Palestine,” demonstrators’ chants included “Al-Qassam, you make us proud, kill another soldier now!” and “We “Say justice, but you say how. Burn down Tel Aviv!” Hamas loves you. We support your rocket too! ”
Anti-Israel protest in front of Columbia University on April 20, 2024. (Leonardo Munoz/AFP via Getty Images)
One anti-Israel activist was seen holding a placard that read “Al-Qassam’s next target” and pointing at a group of Jewish students waving Israeli flags and singing. The Al-Qassam Brigades are the military wing of Hamas.
Another video showed protesters shouting “go back to Europe” and “colonize” Jewish students as they left campus.
Ben Shapiro, host of the podcast “The Ben Shapiro Show” and a frequent speaker on campuses across the country, said that universities “have spent literally years trying to influence conservatives on their campuses. “I have been telling them to shut up. This may be a ‘microaggression’ against the sensibilities of far-left students.” By saying that boys can’t be girls. ”
“They have spent the same years pandering to the radical left who are actively undermining the actual functioning of the university. The recent protests in Colombia were not designed to be peaceful; they are intimidation and It was designed to harass,” Shapiro said. He explained that in recent protests, pro-Hamas activists had been cheering for October 7th, promising a new October 7th “every day” and chanting “we are all Hamas.” .
“Columbia has no obligation to coddle terrorist sponsors who harass students or disrupt the functioning of the university,” Shapiro said. “Columbia took several months to do so after October 7th, when Jewish and Israeli students were physically assaulted, spat on, threatened, and subjected to persistent threats and slurs. A lawsuit has already been filed claiming that
Shai Davidai, a Jewish professor at Columbia University, made headlines in October for criticizing the school’s inaction on anti-Semitism and calling for the National Guard to be brought in if the NYPD fails to take action.
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”[Shafik] We need to open the gates of the university. The NYPD then has to swoop in, disperse the crowd, and arrest everyone who refuses. And lock them in jail. And if the NYPD can’t do that, then we need the National Guard,” Davidei told Fox News Digital. What if Columbia fails to keep Jewish students safe? And if police are to continue to keep Jewish students safe, so must the National Guard. Because this is a civil rights issue. This is not about the war in Israel. This is a Jewish civil rights issue. ”
A view of banners and Palestinian flags as anti-Israel agitators resume their demonstration at Columbia University on Friday, April 19, 2024. (Selcuk Achar/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“This is a hostile takeover of the university,” he added. “This is a showdown between supporting Hamas on the one hand and Western civilization on the other…The showdown is happening on the campus of Columbia University.”
In a Congressional hearing on Wednesday, House Republicans questioned Shafiq about what consequences Columbia University professors Joseph Massad, Katherine Franke and Mohamed Abdu faced for celebrating October 7th. vehemently criticized. The university’s president vowed that Mr. Abdou would never work at Columbia again, but his testimony was vague about whether Mr. Massad had been disciplined. He was criticized by the dean for his comments and was removed as committee chair.
“Professor Joseph Massad described Hamas’ October 7 terrorist attack on Israel as a ‘resistance attack’ aimed at combating ‘racism against Palestinians,'” Shapiro told FOX. He told News Digital. “Professor Katherine Franke said, ‘All Israeli students who served in the Israel Defense Forces are dangerous and should not be on campus.'” Professor Mohamed Abdu posted on social media on October 11, “I Same with Hamas, Hezbollah, and Islamic Jihad.” It is unfortunate that Colombia has so far decided to bend over backwards to accommodate pro-Hamas extremists.”
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Davidai insisted that the demonstrations in Colombia were “never about human rights.”
“From the first moment, these protests were aimed at justifying rape as a means to an end,” he said, referring to the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack. Ta. “It’s not about human rights.”
Anti-Israel agitators resume demonstrations at Columbia University on Friday, the third day of the “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” following mass arrests by New York City police on April 19, 2024. (Selcuk Akar/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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Mr Davidai had asked Colombian leaders to approve a police escort on Monday to allow him to sit “peacefully” in the center of the camp, telling Fox News Digital: “We will engage the other side. “I don’t mean to, but I need protection. And so do I.” Whether I get protection or not, I’m going to be there, and whatever happens is Columbia University’s responsibility. ”
