First appearance on Fox: House Republicans are calling on Columbia University’s big donors, outraged by anti-Israel protests on campus, to pick up their wallets and make their voices heard.
“As members of Congress, we will continue to raise donations and support for the University until there is a clear change in leadership, including the resignation of Columbia University President Minoush Shafik, and to support the anti-Semitic protests on Columbia University’s campus.” We urge our donors and stakeholders to condemn this racist incident,” House Republicans, led by Rep. Eric Burleson, R-Missouri, wrote to the Ivy League’s vast and influential network of alumni and donors. In an open letter he wrote:
Students from Columbia University and its sister school, Barnard College, have been camping on the upper Manhattan campus for several days, demonstrating against Columbia’s investments in companies with ties to Israel. This is part of a broader progressive backlash against Israel’s response to Hamas’ October 7 terrorist attack on the Jewish state.
Columbia University moves to hybrid learning on main campus amid anti-Semitic protests
House Republicans, led by Missouri Republican Rep. Eric Burleson (inset), are calling on large donors to Columbia University to withdraw funding from the school because of anti-Israel protests. (Getty Images)
But this protest, and others like it at universities across the country, are now facing bipartisan backlash and accusations that they have veered into anti-Semitic territory.
Social media videos from an anti-Israel tent encampment on the Columbia University campus show activists celebrating the deaths of Israeli soldiers and expressing support for Hamas. Jewish students reported feeling in danger They shared stories of being verbally and physically assaulted on campus.
“They were pushing and shoving me… They threw stones in my face. At that moment, my life was completely threatened. And there are no safety authorities on campus. ” one student said. told NY1 Over the weekend.
Colombia sets deadline for agreement with protesters, threatens ‘alternatives’ to remove demonstrators
Columbia University, where students have set up what is being called a Gaza Solidarity Camp, was spotted in New York on Wednesday. (Getty Images)
In an open letter, House Republicans called on donors to follow the example of Robert Kraft, the billionaire owner of the New England Patriots. Mr. Kraft withdrew his support earlier this week following the protests.
“We encourage all supporters of the university to do the same and call for the president’s resignation.” [Minouche] Shafik,” they wrote.
“The university will also conduct a thorough review of all school funding and ensure that students and agitators are not influenced to participate in these destructive and violent incidents that target and intimidate Jewish students on campus.” “We need to investigate the external forces that are present,” they continued.
“Furthermore, we would like to inform everyone at the university about all university funding related to anti-Israel protests on campus and what outside groups are contributing and influencing students and agitators to participate. We call for a transparent and thorough audit.”
Omar’s daughter slams ‘hypocrisy’, says suspension and arrest will ‘100% target’ anti-Israel students
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft recently announced he would suspend donations due to the protests. (Michael Reeves/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
This comes as House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana), along with House Education and Labor Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-La.), and three New York Republican congressmen, visited Columbia and condemned the protests there. This came a day after he reiterated his earlier call to Shafiq. to resign.
“I’m here today to join my colleagues in calling for President Shafiq to resign if he can’t immediately bring order to this chaos,” Johnson said amid jeers from students. “As Speaker of the House, I pledge today that Congress will not be silent. jewish student They are expected to run for their lives and skip classes in fear. ”
Fox News Digital has reached out to Columbia University for comment.
