House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik on Sunday called on Columbia University President Minoush Shafik to resign, accusing him of failing to “protect Jewish students on campus.”
Stefanik (R-N.Y.)’s request comes in the wake of Shafik’s testimony on Capitol Hill last week, in which she criticized the Ivy League school’s position on its prestigious Manhattan campus. He was heavily criticized for his handling of anti-Semitism.
The Republican senator’s comments came on the same day that Columbia University Rabbi Elie Buechler issued a stern warning to Jewish students on campus about “extreme anti-Semitism” and urged them to go home.
“Over the past several months, and especially in the past 24 hours, Columbia University’s leadership has clearly lost control of its campus and endangered the safety of Jewish students,” Stefanik said in a statement.
“It is clear that Columbia University, previously founded by Alexander Hamilton and a pioneer of academic excellence, needs new leadership. President Shafiq must resign immediately.”
Dov Hikind, a former state representative who once represented Borough Park and Midwood in Brooklyn, is currently the president of Americans Against Anti-Semitism. ” Tweet to Stefanik In response, say, “Thank you!
“President Shafik of Colombia: Please stop it. Resign immediately. ‘Never again’ is a lie!”
The fiery comments come against the backdrop of violent anti-Israel protests on campus that have resulted in more than 100 arrests.
“In the face of extreme anti-Semitism and disorder in recent days, and especially with the events of last night, Columbia University Public Safety and the NYPD have committed to the safety of Jewish students,” Rabbi Buechler said in a WhatsApp message on Sunday. It has become clear that this cannot be guaranteed.”
“Unfortunately, we strongly advise you to return home as soon as possible and remain at home until the situation on and around campus improves dramatically.”
Stefanik also called on Columbia University’s Board of Trustees to “appoint a president who will protect Jewish students and enforce the school’s policies.”
In testimony before the House Education and Labor Committee, Shafiq asserted that calling for the genocide of Jews violates the school’s code of conduct.
This question tripped up the leaders of Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the University of Pennsylvania before their school boards last year.
Stefanik’s harsh criticism of the three universities’ presidents in December for their efforts to combat anti-Semitism on their campuses quickly went viral and sparked a nationwide outcry.
Eventually, University of Pennsylvania President Elizabeth McGill resigned, and Harvard University President Claudine Gay ultimately resigned following a plagiarism scandal.
School boards are conducting surveys of anti-Semitism on college campuses across the country.
“Columbia University’s failed leaders have spent hundreds of hours preparing for this week’s Congressional hearings, and it is clear that they have failed to enforce their own campus rules and protect Jewish students on campus.” “It was an attempt to cover up a serious failure,” Stefanik said.
During the hearing, Shafik called the expression “from the river to the sea” “hurtful” but stopped short of calling it anti-Semitic.
The phrase refers to the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, and has been used by Hamas terrorists to call for the removal of Jews throughout the region, primarily Israel.
Mr. Shafiq also expressed outrage over whether professors and faculty who promoted anti-Semitism would be fired.
“Columbia University faculty and staff who engage in anti-Semitic or discriminatory behavior should find somewhere else to work,” Shafiq said during the hearing.
Columbia University did not respond to The Post’s request for comment.
Additional reporting by Carl Campanile
