Columbia University leaders were urged Monday by 21 House Democrats that “the time for negotiation is over” after weeks of anti-Israel protests that have been fraught with anti-Semitism on campus.
Congressman Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey and Congressman Dan Goldman of New York, 21, have called out Columbia University’s Board of Trustees for the “unauthorized and impermissible encampment of anti-Israel and anti-Semitic activists on campus.” signed a letter calling for its dissolution. . ”
Late Monday, the university gave the instigators until 2 p.m. to be ejected from their positions or be suspended.
As a result of the chaos on campus, supported by some faculty and staff, “many students were unable to safely attend classes or the main library, and were forced to leave their dorm rooms in clear violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.” I can no longer do it.” they wrote. The 21 signatories have previously stated that the Columbia government “appears to violate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and that relying on hybrid learning is unacceptably hostile and unsafe for Jewish students.” He admitted that he was tacitly admitting that he had created an environment in which he was involved.
“In other words, instead of addressing the root causes of the discrimination and harassment students faced on campus, the administration decided to completely isolate some students from campus, and by definition all students on campus.” created a dangerous environment for the United States,” House Democrats wrote.
House Democrats said they appreciate the Columbia administration’s efforts to “negotiate in good faith to reach an agreement that will allow those in the camp to spend voluntarily without police intervention,” but said they have not been able to do so for nearly a week. After negotiations, “sufficient funding is now available,” he wrote. It is clear that the students and activists glued to campus are reluctant to reach a reasonable agreement for dissolution that would be necessary to bring the university into Title VI compliance. ”
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April 28, 2024, anti-Israel camp at Columbia University. (Charlie Tribarrow/AFP via Getty Images)
“Those who violate the law cannot dictate the terms of the university’s ability to comply with that law. It is past time for the university to act decisively, disband the encampment, and ensure the safety and security of all students. ” the letter states. Say. “The time for negotiation is over. Now is the time for action. It is ultimately the board’s responsibility to act. If any board member does not respond to this, he or she should resign and be replaced. Comply with the University’s legal obligations under Title VI.
All members of the House Republican delegation from New York, led by House Republican Party Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik, said they had heard anti-Semitic protests on campus in the days following her testimony before the House Education and Labor Committee. As a result of the ongoing incident, the president of Columbia University, Minoush Shafik, has already called for his resignation. . The day after his testimony, Shafiq allowed police to enter the campus to arrest more than 100 protesters, but later that weekend, Shafiq chose to keep police away from outside the university gates. As a result, the camp was boldly reorganized and remained in place.
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Stefanik said in a statement obtained by Fox News Digital that Shafik “repeatedly lied to Congress about the employment status of extremist terrorism advocate Mohamed Abdou.” “Despite testimony to the contrary, Abdu is rallying to anti-Semitic camps in Colombia that promote Jewish hatred. That’s another reason why you should.”
Monday’s letter from the Democratic Party cited students holding placards and said that over the past week, the Columbia encampment had been “an anti-Semitic campaign, including hate speech, harassment, intimidation, and even threats of violence against Jewish students.” “It has become a hotbed of ideological attacks.” “Al-Kah” refers to pro-Israel students[ss]am’s next target,” refers to the military wing of the foreign terrorist organization Hamas, which was responsible for the October 7 atrocities and held hostage innocent civilians, including Americans, in brutal confinement for nearly seven months. .”
Anti-Israel demonstrators continue to organize a protest camp on the Columbia University campus in New York City, April 26, 2024. (Spencer Pratt/Getty Images)
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House Democrats also said one of the protest leaders had previously said, “Zionists, they’re Nazis. They’re Nazis. They’re fascists. They’re supporters of genocide. Why are we supporters of genocide?” Live?” and students routinely chanted “From the River to the Sea” and “Eliminate Israel and all Jews within its borders.”
In response, Democrats responded that the White House said, “All Americans have the right to peacefully protest, but calls for violence and physical intimidation targeting Jewish students and the Jewish community are blatantly antithetical.” They are Jewish, unconscionable, dangerous and have no place at all.” On college campuses and anywhere in the United States. ”
In a new letter Monday morning, Shafik said a small group of academic leaders who had been in dialogue with student organizers “to find a pathway that would lead to the removal of the camps” had been unable to reach an agreement. , lamented. ‘Tragedy’ of Jewish students leaving campus amid ‘unbearable’ atmosphere.
“Although the university does not intend to divest capital from Israel, the university is seeking an expedited timeframe for the Socially Responsible Investment Advisory Board, the body that considers divestment issues, to consider new proposals from students,” Shafik said. “We offered to create a line,” he said, referring to the protesters’ claims. request. “The university also proposed to publish a process for students to access the Columbia Direct Investment holdings list and to increase the frequency with which that holdings list is updated.”
April 28, 2024, anti-Israel camp at Columbia University. (Charlie Tribarrow/AFP via Getty Images)
“The university has also offered to invest in health and education in Gaza, including early childhood development support and support for displaced academics,” the university said.
Without mentioning the possibility of further police action, Shafiq said the university called on those present at the encampment to “voluntarily disperse” and said: “To bring this crisis to an end as soon as possible, we will We are consulting with wider groups in the community to explore alternative options.”
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In a statement first obtained by Fox News Digital, Stefanik once again slammed Shafik for failing to “condemn a single word of the vile anti-Semitism that permeates illegal camps” and said that he did not “condemn Jewish students.” “Not a single word is said about protecting against rampant anti-Semitism in schools.” Columbia. “
“As these so-called ‘elite’ universities fail on the world stage, it is more important than ever that Congress holds them accountable,” Stefanik said.
