An Orthodox rabbi who serves the Jewish community at Columbia University sent a message to Jewish students this weekend to leave campus for their own safety amid anti-terrorism and pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
Columbia Orthodox Rabbi Elie Buechler told students that university and city police are unable to protect them and that Jewish students should “return home as soon as possible because the reality on and around campus is dramatically changing.” “You should stay at home until things improve.”
In response to “horrific” scenes of anti-Semitic harassment on and around campus, an Orthodox rabbi at Columbia/Barnard College sent a WhatsApp message to more than 290 Jewish students this morning, reminding them that campus is safe again. I advised him to go home until then. pic.twitter.com/uqAntEICLv
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) April 21, 2024
As Breitbart News reported, Columbia University’s campus has been occupied by anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian students chanting clearly pro-Israel slogans. Numerous reports and videos have been shared of blatant mockery of Jews.
Participants at a pro-Palestinian protest at Columbia University shouted, “Al-Qassam Brigades, you make us proud. Kill another soldier now!” Israel will be destroyed! Palestine is Arab! @Columbia pic.twitter.com/RxAy03B2fS
— MEMRI (@MEMRIReports) April 18, 2024
Jewish student harassed as he tries to leave school @ColumbiaCampus tonight. Someone can be heard shouting “Yehudim Yehudim,” or “Jews, Jews.” “Go back to Poland” they curse and shout. Anti-Semitism is the new normal here. pic.twitter.com/U2Ii5GTuLm
— David Lederer (@Davidlederer6) April 21, 2024
A video posted to Columbia University’s Chabad last night was shocking.
This is not anti-Zionism. It’s blatant anti-Semitism. pic.twitter.com/7Ggk9dndGv
— Kassy Akiva (@KassyDillon) April 21, 2024
Columbia University, long a hotbed of anti-Israel activity, has faced more violent protests since the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack. The administration has suspended some organizations, banned some students from campus, and even welcomed the New York City Police Department onto campus last year. It will take another week for the illegal encampment to be cleared, but violent protests continue. (Some students have only received a written warning even though they violated university rules.)
Anti-Semitism at Columbia University has drawn international condemnation, including from the president of Israel.
The brutal acts of anti-Semitism at Columbia University are deeply disturbing. In the words of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, a civil rights activist who marched alongside the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., we need a “leap of action.” Certainly, resolute and strong action is necessary…
— Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) April 21, 2024
The White House also condemned anti-Semitism at Columbia University, but did not specifically condemn “Islamophobia” at the same time.
However late, this statement from the White House is powerful for many reasons. The biggest reason is that this is the first statement of its kind that does not condemn anti-Semitism * and all other forms of hatred * (1/2) https://t.co/dyptlWk3jM
— Dan Senor (@dansenor) April 21, 2024
Breitbart News has reached out to Rabbi Buechler for comment.
Columbia is located on New York’s Upper West Side and was long considered a predominantly Jewish neighborhood. New York also experienced the worst act of Islamic extremist terrorism in world history, just before most of today’s students were born.
Joel B. Pollack is a senior editor at Breitbart News. Breitbart News Sunday Sunday nights from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM ET (4:00 PM to 7:00 PM PT) on Sirius XM Patriot. He is the author of a recently published e-book.The Zionist conspiracy (and how to join it)‘ is now available on Audible. He is also the author of an e-book. Neither Free nor Fair: The 2020 US Presidential Election. He is the recipient of the 2018 Robert Novak Journalism Alumni Fellowship. Follow him on Twitter @joelpolak.
