All New York State House Republicans are calling on Columbia University President Dr. Nemat “Minoush” Shafik to resign as Ivy League president as tensions rise on campus over the Israel-Hamas war.
“For the past few days, there has been anarchy on Columbia University’s campus. As the leader of this university, one of your primary goals, both morally and legally, is to ensure a safe learning environment for our students. In every respect, you have failed in this obligation,” the Republicans wrote.
“The situation currently occurring on campus is a direct product of your policies and bad decisions. As representatives of New York State, many of our constituents are directly affected by the chaos unfolding on Columbia University’s campus. I am receiving.”
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Representative Elise Stefanik led House Republicans from New York in submitting a letter calling for the resignation of Columbia University’s president. (Getty Images)
Lawmakers said they had “no confidence” in Shafiq’s “leadership of this once respected organization.”
The letter was led by House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik, RN.Y., and signed by nine Republicans representing parts of the state.
Lawmakers criticized Mr. Shafiq’s recent remarks during a heated Republican-led hearing examining accusations of anti-Semitism on campuses and the role of school administrators in combating them, amid criticism of the embattled academic. quoting Congressional testimony.
Meanwhile, Shafik has come under fire from the progressive activist community and condemned by people on both sides of the divide for allowing New York City police officers to arrest protesters at a tent encampment. There is.
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Columbia University President Nemat Shafik testified before Congress last week. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
But House Republicans said in a letter Monday that “despite the introduction of new rules to prevent such unauthorized events and this illegal anti-Semitic encampment, this illegal anti-Semitic Even though the encampment was clearly in violation of these rules, it took the New York City Police Department (NYPD) almost two days to obtain a permit.” Surrender the camp. ”
“Since then, surprisingly, the encampment has not been allowed to reconvene, order has not been restored, and the NYPD has not been allowed to return,” they wrote. “The ongoing situation is a direct sign of lax policy enforcement and clear double standards.”
Students at Columbia University and attendees at its sister school, Barnard College, have been camping and demonstrating on university grounds for weeks to protest the university’s investments in companies with ties to Israel. .
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Some Jewish students even reported being physically and verbally targeted by mobs of anti-Israel demonstrators on campus. Due to concerns for student safety, classes have moved to a hybrid format of remote and in-person classes.
“The time has come for Columbia University to turn the page on this shameful chapter,” the letter said. “This is only possible with the restoration of order and your prompt resignation.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to Columbia University for a response.
