Leaders at Columbia University told students overnight that all Monday classes will be held virtually because anti-Israel protestors have taken over the campus. The demonstrations, which began to protest the Israeli war on Hamas, have now devolved into students calling for Hamas to attack the United States and massacre Jewish students on campus, according to videos.
University President Nemat Shafik said in a statement posted in the early hours of Monday morning that she was “deeply saddened” by certain actions of agitators, who have formed an encampment on the campus and have riled students and faculty with anti-Jewish slogans and chants.
Palestinians in Gaza openly calling for murder of Jews 👇
Sorry for the typo, these protests are at @Columbia University in New York today.
— Dr. Eli David (@DrEliDavid) April 22, 2024
“I am deeply saddened by what is happening on our campus,” she wrote, according to Fox News “Our bonds as a community have been severely tested in ways that will take a great deal of time and effort to reaffirm. Students across an array of communities have conveyed fears for their safety, and we have announced additional actions we are taking to address security concerns. The decibel of our disagreements has only increased in recent days. These tensions have been exploited and amplified by individuals who are not affiliated with Columbia who have come to campus to pursue their own agendas.”
More absolute insanity out of @Columbia tonight.
“Al-Qassam you make us proud! Take another soldier out!”
“We say justice, you say how? Burn Tel Aviv to the ground!”
“Hamas we love you. We support your rockets too!”
“Red, black, green, and white, we support Hamas’ fight!”
“It… pic.twitter.com/er1kSyEX5z— Israel War Room (@IsraelWarRoom) April 21, 2024
The statement comes after the Orthodox rabbi at Columbia University and Barnard College sent a message encouraging Jewish students to leave campus and go home after protesters were caught on camera espousing full-on support for terrorism and supporting violence toward Jewish students. Rabbi Elie Buechler sent a message to hundreds of students recommending they leave as soon as possible until the situation improves, noting that “what we are witnessing in and around campus is terrible and tragic.”
In response to “horrific” scenes of antisemitic harassment at and around campus, the Orthodox Rabbi at Columbia/Barnard sent a WhatsApp message to more than 290+ Jewish students this morning recommending that they go home until it’s safe again for them on campus: pic.twitter.com/uqAntEICLv
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) April 21, 2024
“The events of the last few days, especially last night, have made it clear that Columbia University’s Public Safety and the NYPD cannot guarantee Jewish students’ safety in the face of extreme antisemitism and anarchy,” Buechler wrote. “It deeply pains me to say that I would strongly recommend you return home as soon as possible and remain home until the reality in and around campus has dramatically improved.”
House GOP Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., has demanded that Shafik immediately resign amid the protests and the threat to students’ safety.
–Dwight Widaman | Metro Voice
