When Passover began at Columbia University on Monday night, Jewish student Parker de Dekel, like many others, had already left the New York City campus for his own safety. Ta.
De Dekel, an Ivy League freshman from Wisconsin, chose Columbia University primarily because of the opportunity to live and study among a far larger number of Jews than she encountered in her hometown. He told Blaze News that it was because of this. .
He said he was becoming increasingly “religious.” And a big part of that is wearing a yarmulke.
But last week, some people saw Mr. Dedeker wearing the widely known Jewish mark on his head, which became a problem for him.
As Blaze News readers know, pro-Palestinian students set up tents on Columbia University’s campus last week and refused to leave until the school met a list of demands, including divestment from companies with ties to Israel. .of new york times He said some people refer to it as the “Gaza Solidarity Encampment.”On Thursday morning, Columbia University President Minoush Shafik authorized New York City Police Department clears encampment. Police arrested more than 100 people.
One of those arrested was none other than the daughter of far-left U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minnesota). As you might imagine, Omar — who is by no means an Israel fan — said,I’m very proudHe praised his daughter for “inspiring schools to stand up against genocide.”
Columbia University also reportedly disabled an Israeli-born Jewish professor from entering the school’s main campus on Monday morning by revoking his identification card. Shai Davidai said the Colombian government had indicated that it could not ensure his safety.
“You damn Jew!”
Dedeker told Blaze News that he experienced the danger last Wednesday night on his way to a rally at Chabad House.
He said someone yelled at him — among other things — “You damn Jew!”
“The only way they could identify me as Jewish was my yarmulke,” Dedeker told Blaze News.
He added that a friend soon advised him to stop wearing it because it was “unsafe.”
“I took off the yarmulke and put it in my pocket,” Dedeker told Blaze News. When he arrived at the meeting, he put it back on, but he said he took it off again when he left Chabad’s house.
Dedeker recalled the experience of feeling “powerless” as “emotionally upsetting” and said she cried that night.
“Wow, this really hurts,” Dedeker told Blaze News of the raw emotions of that painful and “emotionally exhausting” moment.
‘you know what? ‘
But the next morning, something changed in Dedeker.
He said, “I woke up on Thursday and thought, ‘You know what?'”
That is correct. De Deker told Blaze News that he was forced to wear a yarmulke after facing the “hatred” around him. all day long All day Thursday and Friday.
Indeed, the bitterness was all too real. Apart from the sight of protesters waving Hezbollah flags and holding cellphones emblazoned with Hamas logos, Dedeker is aware of other anti-Semitic violence:
- “Bomb Tel Aviv!”
- “Go back to Poland!”
- “Massacre lunatics!”
- “There is only one solution: the intifada revolution!”
“It doesn’t have to change.”
Despite this, De Dekel told Blaze News that wearing the yarmulke “gave me more confidence and clarity” and realized that “there was no need to change.”
That didn’t mean his determination mattered to others who wanted to harass him. Dedeker told Blaze News that he also endured anti-Semitism when he helped his friend move on Thursday night and when he made his own decision to leave campus on Friday.
“That’s right, you get off campus, dude!” he said, as one person yelled at him, accompanied by an anti-Semitic slur, and another yelled, “You Zionists finally leave campus!” I’m so happy!” I remember saying.
Dedeker told Blaze News he is staying with a family friend out of state but plans to return to campus on Thursday. He estimated that about 60% of Columbia’s Jewish students were already planning to leave campus for Passover, but added that in many cases, the unrest had “expedited” their departures.
surely, Rabbi Elie Buechler Sunday with Columbia/Bernard Hillel told the Jewish students Police cannot guarantee [their] To ensure safety in the face of extreme anti-Semitism and anarchy, Buechler also urged Jewish students to return home as soon as possible until the realities on and around campus have dramatically improved. “Stay at home,” he advised. It is not our job as Jews to ensure our own safety on campus. ”
Columbia University has announced that its main campus will switch to a remote learning option for the remainder of the semester. WABC TV statedHe added that U.S. House Republicans from New York have called on Shafik to resign.
Dedeker told Blaze News that while he is glad there is a safer learning option than in-person only, he is “heartbroken” that the Colombian government has “lost control of the situation.” “Tensions and conflicts…are clearly overwhelming our government,” he added. Dedeker also said he wanted the school to address “the issue of anti-Semitism” head-on.
In addition, Robert Kraft, a Columbia University alumnus and owner of the New England Patriots, said, “I no longer have confidence that Columbia University can protect its students and employees, and I am reluctant to support it.” He said he was withdrawing significant funding from the school. Until collective action is taken. ”
“My experience is not unique.”
De Dekel told Blaze News that “my experience is not unique” when it comes to facing anti-Semitism, which does not cause many Jewish students to hide their identities. They said they feel pressured to hide their Star of David, which means they have to hide their yarmulkes. I don’t want to get hurt. ”
But he also said he felt people outside of Columbia University were largely responsible for the spread of anti-Semitism on campus. Additionally, De Dekel told Blaze News that he managed to do so despite rules in place that prohibit non-students from entering school premises.
Dedeker added that when Columbia University’s gates are closed, “It’s like Fort Knox.” So, they say, “How do they get on campus?”
He also said he felt “morally let down” by Columbia during the “heartbreaking” episode, having previously viewed the university as “the pinnacle of dialogue and a place for dialogue.” he told Blaze News.
Dedeker admitted, “My anger and frustration is with the university.”
What did Colombia say?
Blaze News reported Tuesday on Dedeker’s claims that non-students were able to access campus and spew hate against Jewish students, and why university officials appear to have failed to protect Jews. Questions were referred to Columbia University’s Department of Public Safety. Many of the students chose to leave school for their own safety.
Public Safety referred Blaze News’ request for comment to the university’s communications department, which did not immediately respond to Blaze News’ request for comment on the matter Tuesday.
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