Amid ongoing protests at the Ivy League school, anti-Israel agitators on Columbia University’s campus have “crossed the line” and become a terrorist organization, a professor told Fox News Digital.
“What we saw yesterday was a pro-terrorist student group cross the line into becoming an actual terrorist organization,” business professor Shai Davidai told Fox Digital.
Davidai cited Saturday’s video footage as a breaking point when protesters “crossed the line.” One demonstrator was seen holding a placard that read “Al-Qassam’s next target” and pointing at a group of Jewish students waving Israeli flags and singing. Al-Qassam is the military wing of the terrorist organization Hamas.
Hundreds of protesters reappeared on Columbia University’s campus on Saturday, with videos on social media showing them chanting and spewing red smoke in front of Columbia’s East Gate.
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Anti-Israel students demonstrate on the Columbia University campus on Thursday, April 18, 2024, in New York City. (Peter Garber, Fox News Digital)
“Up, up with liberation. Down, down with occupation,” they shouted through the locked campus gates.
The demonstrators also chanted, “Al-Qassam, you are proud of us. Kill another soldier now.” “We say justice, you say method. Burn down Tel Aviv.” ” he yelled. “Hamas, we love you. We also support your rockets!”
The protests, which followed the outbreak of war in Israel on October 7, focused on demands by students and protesters for Columbia University to completely withdraw from Israel.
Among the chants shouted by anti-Israel demonstrators was: “We love Hamas. We support your rockets too!” (Peter Garber, Fox News Digital)
“We demand that Columbia University sever its academic ties with Israeli universities, and we demand that Columbia University end its censorship and intimidation of students who stand up and advocate for the liberation of Palestine.” one of them shouted last week. The New York Post reported.
Davidai blamed the administration for anti-Semitism on campus, saying he encouraged protesters who had taken no action against anti-Semitism on campus since the outbreak of war in Israel. It is said that the teacher was forced to do so.
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“All of the teachers and others whose names were mentioned in the Congressional hearings are not only provoking them, they are not only cheering them on, they are repeatedly showing up at the terrorists’ illegal encampments, telling them to proceed, and encouraging them. ” And finally, they are emboldened by an administration that made a big show of bringing in the NYPD on Thursday, arresting 108 students for trespassing, and reinstated them like a turnstile. There is. Campus,” he said.
A view of banners and Palestinian flags as anti-Israel student protesters resume their demonstration at Columbia University on Friday, April 19, 2024, the third day of the Gaza solidarity encampment following mass arrests by New York police. . (Selcuk Achar/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Davidai compared the protests and anti-Semitism to a fire, saying that “the brainwashed student mob is the burning substance,” while “an administration that did absolutely nothing for an extraordinary six months” provided the oxygen to the fire. He claimed that he was playing a role. “Pro-Hamas professors are arsonists.”
At least three people were arrested Saturday on charges of disorderly conduct, the New York Post reported. Another person was seen being taken away on a stretcher by EMS and being treated for unknown reasons.
“We want justice. How do you say that? Stop arming Israel now!” protesters chanted Saturday.
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Saturday’s protests followed the arrest of more than 100 protesters on Thursday after police raided a tent encampment called the Gaza Solidarity Encampment and the Liberated Zone. The daughter of Democratic Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar was among those arrested Thursday and suspended from Barnard College earlier in the day for “expressing solidarity with Palestinians facing genocide.” Fox Digital first reported that he had been disciplined.
In a message, Columbia University’s Orthodox rabbi told students to leave campus “as soon as possible” until the situation improves. (Selcuk Achar/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Davidei also took issue with New York politicians who have remained silent on the protests, calling Democratic Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand in particular “shameful.”
“And New York State Sen. Chuck Schumer hasn’t said anything at all. And Gillibrand hasn’t said anything at all. And shame on these people. Shame on them. And I I want to see them go. It’s not because I don’t believe in them. They have liberal values, but I don’t believe in their morals. And we can’t just say things to Jewish students last night, and this morning, and the past four days, and the past six months. We have seen Jewish students defend themselves,” Davidai said.
“And it’s time, not just for the NYPD, but for the National Guard. Governor Hochul has to come and say something,” he added.
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Lizzy Savetsky, a Jewish influencer from New York, told Fox that the protests were “very disturbing, given that New York City is home to the world’s largest Jewish community outside of Israel.” ”, he said, echoing Davidai in saying more local leaders need to step up and take action. Protest activity.
New York City police officers patrol as protesters demonstrate outside the Columbia University campus on Thursday, April 18, 2024, in New York City. (Peter Garber, Fox News Digital)
“Columbia’s violent protests stand in sharp contrast to our city’s values of diversity and mutual respect. As a Jewish activist in New York City, I have faced threats and discrimination on campus. We stand with our students. Columbia must prioritize the safety of all students and ensure access to education is protected.” Anti-Semitic attacks across our city are concerning. With such an alarming increase, state and local authorities must act urgently to protect Colombia’s Jewish communities and combat these terrorist sympathizers on the streets,” she said.
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Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, who has publicly condemned anti-Semitism on U.S. campuses for months, last week told Columbia University President Minoush Shafik that she would “resign immediately” and that the school would “resign Jewish students.” “Appoint someone to protect them and enforce school policy.” . ”
Yola Ashkenazy, a student at Barnard College and Columbia University, told Fox News Digital on Sunday that conditions on campus were “horrible, dangerous, and intolerable” and that protesters were crossing the line. He said he was becoming “violent.”
“Saturday night, student protesters proudly cried for the death of Jewish and Israeli students. “I pride myself on critical thinking, but this week I saw it completely gone,” she said.
“Jewish students are currently unable to come to campus. It is unacceptable to deny us the education we have worked so hard to earn. “We have to do everything in our power to make sure that it’s possible,” Ashkenazy said.
Sheila Nazarian, a Columbia University alumnus and Iranian-born plastic surgeon, told FOX Digital that it was time to stop donations to the school because of anti-Semitism on campus and for the National Guard to respond on campus. , said the administration must expel students who participate in anti-Semitism. Protest activity.
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“Having studied in the classrooms of Columbia University, I have always appreciated the university’s commitment to intellectual diversity and open discussion. However, I have been struck by recent anti-Israel protests and inflammatory rhetoric on campus. As an alumnus, I believe it is important for Columbia University to uphold the principles of inclusivity while protecting the rights of all students, including those of Jewish descent. , they stopped accepting donations from many alumni, including myself, because they failed to stop the student body from passing the BDS resolution, and they stopped receiving every penny from me until this anti-Semitism issue was resolved. “We don’t accept donations,” she said.
“Jewish students cannot be on campus right now,” said one student. (Peter Garber, Fox News Digital)
“It is imperative that university authorities begin taking decisive steps to address and denounce all forms of discrimination and hostility directed against Jewish students. Call in the National Guard. Stop accepting them. Fire the terrorist sympathizers on staff and expel the terrorist students. They are all adults and must be held accountable,” she added.
During the Columbia University demonstration, anti-Israel demonstrators were heard shouting “We are Hamas” and “Long live Hamas”
Fox News Digital reached out to the school for comment on its response to the protests, but did not immediately receive a response.
“We demand that Columbia University sever its academic ties with Israeli universities, and we demand that Columbia University end its censorship and intimidation of students who stand up and advocate for the liberation of Palestine,” protesters said. one person reportedly shouted last week. (Peter Garber, Fox News Digital)
The Orthodox rabbis of Columbia University and Barnard College called on students in a message this weekend to leave campus “as soon as possible” until the situation improves, saying, “What we are witnessing on and around campus… It’s horrifying and tragic.”
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Rabbi Elie Buechler said, “The past few days, and especially last night’s events, have shown that Columbia University Public Safety and the New York City Police Department are unable to guarantee the safety of Jewish students in the face of extreme anti-Semitism and disorder. It has become clear,” he wrote. “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.”
Fox News Digital’s Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.
