(ReclaimingAmerica.net) – BREAKING: In the midst of escalating and potentially violent anti-Israel protests around the campus, Columbia University President Minouche Shafik publicly addressed the dangerous atmosphere at the institution transitioning to virtual classes.
Shafik vehemently criticized the “intimidating and harassing behavior” that has unfolded and emphasized that “Antisemitic language, like any other language that is used to hurt and frighten people, is unacceptable” and assured that necessary measures would be taken.
Amid the heightened campus tensions, Shafik indicated that external parties have exacerbated the unrest, which converged on the campus to further their distinct objectives.
She underscored forthcoming endeavors to ameliorate the crisis and mentioned upcoming assemblies with deans and administrators aimed at facilitating discussions with student protestors and determining collective steps to ensure a peaceful academic term and uphold respectful discourse.
Shafik also expressed openness to deliberating the role of police presence on campus and advocated instead for a community-driven approach to maintaining safety, which suggested that a rigorous adherence to campus protocols could negate the necessity for external intervention.
This announcement follows the incident of the arrest of 108 anti-Israel demonstrators by New York City police at the university’s request in response to the “Gaza Solidarity Encampment.”
In light of these developments, Elie Buechler, Orthodox Rabbi at Columbia/Barnard and Co-Director of the school’s Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus, advised over 290 Jewish students to stay off-campus until conditions significantly improve.
Columbia University, acknowledging these “extraordinarily challenging circumstances,” has implemented augmented safety protocols, including an increased security presence, tightened perimeter security, more rigorous ID verifications, and bolstered safeguards at the Kraft Center for Jewish Life.
Furthermore, Representative Virginia Foxx (R-N.C) expressed Shafik her deep concern over the university’s apparent inability to swiftly reestablish order and ensure safety and warning of potential congressional action should the situation persist.
Following these events, Joe Biden’s Passover message explicitly condemned the rising tide of antisemitism, stating that “Silence is complicity” and decrying recent expressions of antisemitism as “reprehensible and dangerous,” unequivocally stating that such behavior is intolerable both on college campuses and nationwide.
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