A dueling coalition of Democratic and Republican lawmakers visited Columbia University to condemn the reprehensible anti-Semitic, pro-Palestinian protests and demand that the university president resign immediately.
The demonstrations have been ongoing since last Wednesday and have included outbreaks of violence and arrests, including the arrest of the daughter of progressive ‘Squad’ member Ilhan Omar.
Jewish Reps. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., Dan Golden, D-N.Y., and Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., and Kathy Manning, D-C., headed to the Ivy League university Monday after days of vicious anti-Israel protests.
“I should be with my family today for Passover,” Moskowitz wrote on [Columbia] University stands with Jewish students who are harassed on their campus.”
“To the President of Columbia: DO NOT make the same choice as the Presidents of UPenn and Harvard,” his post continued. ‘Protect your students.’
New York Republican Reps. Anthony D’Esposito and Mike Lawler also spoke at an event off Columbia’s campus.
Columbia University students wave Palestinian flags as protests sweep campus
Lawler told a crowd near the Columbia University campus Monday that President Nemat “Minouche” Shafik “should resign in disgrace.”
‘The fastest way to a ceasefire is to release hostages. Why aren’t these people calling for that? The Palestinian people must be free – their oppressors are Hamas,” he said at the event.
“People here at Columbia need to resign,” Lawler added.
D’Esposito also condemned the university, saying it should not receive federal funding if students are in danger.
“If you have no control over what happens at your university, if the president of this university is failing to keep students safe, then she should not be eligible for any federal aid coming into this university.”
The two Republicans also noted a letter they co-signed Monday along with all other Republicans in the New York delegation.
The letter, organized by Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., called on Shafik to resign immediately for failing to crack down on “a major unsanctioned anti-Semitic riot,” according to a copy obtained by DailyMail. com.
The lawmakers’ trip to Columbia came on the same day that Shai Davidai, a Jewish Columbia professor, was locked out of campus because the school could not keep him safe.
‘Earlier today, [Columbia] The university refused to allow me on campus. Why? Because they cannot protect my safety as a Jewish professor. This is 1938,” he posted on X.
Last week, the NYPD removed an encampment at the college on Thursday and arrested more than 100 protesters.
Tensions reached a boiling point since demonstrators set up tents on the university’s south lawn early last Wednesday, with several fights breaking out when they were met by pro-Israel counter-protesters.
For the fifth day, pro-Palestinian students occupied a central lawn on the campus of Columbia University.
Dozens of New York Police officers have entered the so-called ‘Gaza solidarity camp’.
The protests that started on the campus of Columbia University have since spread to other schools
Pro-Israel protesters have held rallies in response to the ongoing anti-Israel protests
To date, more than a hundred students have been charged, primarily for trespassing, with some facing additional charges for resisting arrest and obstructing governmental administration.
Many of those taking part in the protests have created signs and chants directly ridiculing Israel for its ongoing war with Hamas, after the terrorist group launched a surprise massacre in the Jewish country on October 7, 2023.
“Protesters on campus target Jewish students,” Gottheimer wrote on X on Sunday.
“Furthermore, they are echoing the rhetoric of Hamas terrorists, who have carried out the worst attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust.”
“Columbia must put an end to these hate-filled protests and protect students,” he continued.
Goldman also condemned the situation as “unacceptable.”
‘The situation in Columbia [University] is unacceptable,” he wrote on X.
“While everyone has the First Amendment right to protest, students do not have the right to threaten violence and incite fear within the Jewish community on campus.”
He said the university and the NYPD “must ensure a safe environment for all students.”
Moskowitz condemned Columbia protests, including ‘chants for more war’
Pro-Palestinian protesters resume demonstrations at Columbia University on the fifth day of ‘Gaza Solidarity Encampment’, despite Columbia University previously urging law enforcement to arrest more than 100 pro-Palestinian protesters
Republican Mike Lawler wrote on X: “If our colleges and universities cannot take action to ensure the safety of their students, we will intervene.”
He wrote that he was “at Columbia to support Jewish students and condemn the anti-Semitic hatred allowed on campus.”
The protests have become so virulent that many Democratic leaders have condemned the protests.
“Students have the right to freedom of expression, but not the right to violate university policies and disrupt campus education,” New York Mayor Eric Adams said Sunday evening.
“I am shocked and disgusted by the anti-Semitism expressed on and around the campus of Columbia University.”
“Hate has no place in our city, and I have directed the NYPD to investigate every violation of the law they receive a report on and arrest anyone who breaks the law,” Adams continued.
New York Mayor Eric Adams said he was ‘disgusted’ by the anti-Semitism on display at Columbia University last week
The White House also spoke out against the anti-Israel demonstrations.
“While every American has the right to peaceful protection, calls for violence and physical intimidation against Jewish students and the Jewish community are blatantly anti-Semitic, unconscionable, and dangerous—they have absolutely no place on any college campus, or anywhere in the world.” United States. America,” White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates said in a statement.