Anti-Israel demonstrators create encampment on the lawn of Columbia University yesterday. (Courtesy of James Keivom)
Dear Commons Community,
Columbia University canceled all in-person classes today after anti-Israel protesters inundated the campus this weekend, erecting an encampment and resulting in the arrest of over 100 individuals — leaving many students at the school fearing for their safety.
Embattled President Minouche Shafik, who has vowed to crack down on antisemitism, told students in an email that they “need a reset” as the increasing level of conflict has caused safety concerns for many students. And that all classes will be conducted online. As reported by CNN, the New York Post and other media.
“I am deeply saddened by what is happening on our campus. Our bonds as a community have been severely tested in ways that will take a great deal of time and effort to reaffirm,” Shafik wrote.
“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.”
Those fears, expressed by many Jewish students, were addressed yesterday by Rabbi Elie Buechler, a rabbi associated with Columbia University’s Orthodox Union Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus, who urged Columbia and Barnard students to go home — and stay there until conflicts on campus dissipate.
Shafik said tensions across campus have been “exploited and amplified by individuals who are not affiliated with Columbia who have come to campus to pursue their own agendas.”
“I understand that many are experiencing deep moral distress and want Columbia to help alleviate this by taking action. We should be having serious conversations about how Columbia can contribute,” Shafik said.
Shafik acknowledged there will be many opinions on how the university can do this, but noted they could not “have one group dictate terms and attempt to disrupt important milestones like graduation to advance their point of view.”
The university insists it will not tolerate the protesters camping out in front of its library.
“We are a caring, mature, thoughtful and engaged community. Let’s remind ourselves of our common values of honoring learning, mutual respect, and kindness that have been the bedrock of Columbia,” Shafik wrote.
“I hope everyone can take a deep breath, show compassion, and work together to rebuild the ties that bind us together.”
The campus — and others around the nation — have been struggling with antisemitic protests since Hamas terrorists pulled off a sneak attack on Israel on Oct. 7, with the Jewish state responding with a counter-offensive that has killed thousands in the Gaza Strip.
The show of blatant support for Hamas on American college campuses has rattled some students, particularly Jewish students.
Cool heads and firm leadership have to prevail here!
Tony
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