In the latest update on the escalating anti-Israel protests at Columbia University, Fox News correspondent CB Cotton provides insights on “The Big Weekend Show.”
The Orthodox rabbi at Columbia University and Barnard College has advised Jewish students to leave campus and return home. This recommendation comes in response to the ongoing presence of anti-Israel agitators on campus, who have been observed expressing explicit support for terrorism and advocating violence against Jewish students.
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Rabbi Elie Buechler, director of OU-LJIC at Columbia/Barnard, sent a WhatsApp message to hundreds of students before the start of Passover. In the message, he urged the students to leave “as soon as possible” until the situation improves. Rabbi Buechler expressed his concern about the terrible and tragic events happening in and around campus.
In a heartfelt statement, Buechler expressed concern over the recent events, particularly the events of last night, highlighting the inability of Columbia University’s Public Safety and the NYPD to ensure the safety of Jewish students in the midst of rampant antisemitism and chaos. Buechler emphasized the urgency of the situation, urging students to consider returning home promptly and staying there until significant improvements are made in the campus environment.
Stefanik accuses Columbia president of ‘pro-terrorist’ professor ‘cover-up,’ warns of potential felony
Outside Columbia University in New York City on April 20, 2024, a group of anti-Israel agitators was captured in a photo. The image, taken by Leonardo Munoz, shows the protesters expressing their dissent.
The rabbi emphasized that as Jews, it is not our responsibility to guarantee our own safety on campus. It is unacceptable for anyone to experience such extreme hatred, especially within an educational institution.
House GOP Chair, Rep. Elise Stefanik, a Republican from New York, has called for the immediate resignation of Columbia University President, Dr. Nemat “Minouche” Shafik. Stefanik claims that Columbia’s leadership has lost control of its campus, putting the safety of Jewish students at risk in the past 24 hours.
According to Stefanik, the Columbia leadership’s extensive preparation for their testimony at the House Education and the Workforce Committee hearing last week was a clear attempt to conceal their failure in enforcing campus rules and ensuring the safety of Jewish students on campus.
After Shafik permitted the New York Police Department to enter the campus the day following her testimony before Congress, where she faced tough questions regarding the absence of repercussions for antisemitism at the prestigious Ivy League institution, over 100 individuals who were detained and suspended from the university on Thursday have now been set free.
Across the locked campus gates, police officers observe the anti-Israel encampment.
On April 20, 2024, a group of anti-Israel demonstrators gathered outside Columbia University. (Leonardo Munoz/AFP via Getty Images)
A sign caught the attention of onlookers, held by an anti-Israel protestor, which read, “Al-Qasam’s (sic) next targets.” The sign was pointed towards a gathering of Jewish students who were joyfully singing and waving the Israeli flag. Notably, the Al-Qassam Brigade serves as the military arm of Hamas.
Ben Shapiro, a renowned speaker and the host of “The Ben Shapiro Show” podcast, expressed his frustration with universities that have been suppressing conservative voices on campus. He criticized how these institutions have been promoting the notion of microaggressions, whereby conservative ideas are deemed offensive to the far-left students. Shapiro specifically highlighted the absurdity of being reprimanded for stating the biological fact that boys cannot be girls.
According to Shapiro, instead of focusing on the actual functioning of the universities, they have been nurturing radical leftists who undermine it. Shapiro criticized the recent protests at Columbia University, stating that they were not intended to be peaceful but rather aimed at intimidating and harassing others. He highlighted how the protests included pro-Hamas activists who cheered on October 7th and pledged to have a similar event every day, while also shouting, “We’re all Hamas.”
According to Shapiro, Columbia University is not obligated to provide support to individuals who endorse terrorism and engage in activities that disrupt the university’s operations. He asserts that the university has spent a significant amount of time accommodating such individuals since October 7. Shapiro also mentions a lawsuit that claims Jewish and Israeli students have faced physical assault, threats, and continuous intimidation and vilification.
Shai Davidai, a Jewish professor at Columbia University, gained viral attention in October for speaking out against the school’s lack of response to antisemitism. He asserts that if the NYPD fails to take action, the National Guard should be called upon.
House Republicans Criticize Ilhan Omar for Implied Dismissal of Columbia University Protests as Not ‘Anti-Jewish’
In a scathing rebuke, House Republicans have condemned Ilhan Omar for her recent comments suggesting that the protests at Columbia University were not rooted in anti-Semitism. The congresswoman’s remarks have sparked outrage and raised concerns about her stance on issues related to the Jewish community.
During a recent interview, Omar stated that she did not believe the protests at Columbia University were “anti-Jewish.” This statement has drawn sharp criticism from House Republicans, who argue that her remarks minimize the concerns raised by students and Jewish organizations about rising anti-Semitism on college campuses.
Representative Lee Zeldin, a Republican from New York, expressed his disappointment with Omar’s comments, stating that it is deeply troubling to see a member of Congress downplay the seriousness of anti-Semitism. He emphasized the importance of recognizing and addressing the alarming increase in anti-Semitic incidents across the country.
Other House Republicans echoed Zeldin’s sentiments, condemning Omar’s remarks as insensitive and dismissive. They argued that her comments undermine the experiences of Jewish students who have faced discrimination and hostility on college campuses.
The criticism of Omar’s comments comes at a time when anti-Semitism is a growing concern in the United States. According to the Anti-Defamation League, there has been a significant increase in anti-Semitic incidents over the past few years, including acts of violence, harassment, and vandalism.
In response to the backlash, Omar clarified her remarks, stating that she condemns all forms of discrimination and that her comments were misinterpreted. However, House Republicans remain skeptical and continue to highlight the importance of addressing anti-Semitism in all its forms.
The controversy surrounding Omar’s comments has reignited the ongoing debate about the role of elected officials in addressing issues of religious intolerance and bigotry. It serves as a reminder of the need for lawmakers to carefully consider their words and actions, especially when discussing sensitive topics such as anti-Semitism.
Davidai, in an interview with Fox News Digital, expressed his belief that Shafik should allow the university gates to be opened and the NYPD should intervene to disperse the crowd and arrest those who refuse to comply. He further suggested that those arrested should be kept in jail. If the NYPD is unable to carry out this action, Davidai argued that the National Guard should be called upon. He emphasized that if Columbia University cannot ensure the safety of its Jewish students, and if the police are unable to do so either, then it becomes a civil rights issue that necessitates the involvement of the National Guard. Davidai clarified that this issue is not related to the war in Israel, but rather a matter of Jewish civil rights.
At Columbia University on April 19, 2024, anti-Israel agitators resumed demonstrations, displaying banners and Palestinian flags. (Selcuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“This is not just a simple change in leadership at the university,” he emphasized. “It’s a clash between those who support Hamas and those who value Western civilization. The battleground for this clash is none other than Columbia’s campus.”
During the congressional hearing on Wednesday, House Republicans questioned Shafik about the repercussions faced by Columbia professors Joseph Massad, Katherine Franke, and Mohamed Abdou for their celebration of Oct. 7. The university president assured that Abdou would no longer be employed at Columbia, but provided ambiguous testimony regarding whether Massad received any disciplinary action from his dean for his remarks or was removed from his committee chair position.
According to Shapiro, Professor Joseph Massad referred to Hamas’ attack on Israel as a “resistance offensive” aimed at combatting “racism towards the Palestinians”. Professor Katherine Franke expressed her belief that all Israeli students who served in the IDF are dangerous and should not be allowed on campus. Professor Mohamed Abdou openly declared his support for Hamas, Hezbollah, and Islamic Jihad on social media. Shapiro criticized Columbia for accommodating these pro-Hamas radicals.
According to Davidai, the protests at Columbia University have always focused on issues other than human rights.
He referred to the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attack and stated that these protests were primarily focused on justifying rape as a means to achieve their objectives. He emphasized that such actions were not in line with the principles of human rights.
On April 19, 2024, a group of individuals protesting against Israel gathered at Columbia University. The demonstrators aimed to express their opposition, as seen in the photo captured by Selcuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images.
