Texas Representative Beth Van Duyne (R) bashed therecent violent anti-Semitic protests that took place at Columbia University.
“The violent and clearly antisemitic behavior at @Columbia is disgusting and undoubtedly puts Jewish students in danger. The university’s refusal to condemn these savage, pro-terror riots is only adding fuel to the fire. We must hold the tax exempt universities who foster poisonous ideologies accountable,” said Rep. Van Duyne.
Columbia University has faced increased violent and hostile protests on its campus due to civil unrest over the Israel-Hamas War. The pro-Palestine and anti-Israel protests have caused the campus to become an unsafe place for many of the school’s Jewish students.
“What we are witnessing in and around campus is terrible and tragic,’’ said Rabbi Elie Buechler about the Ivy League’s dangerous campus. “The events of the last few days, especially last night, have made it clear that Columbia University’s Public Safety and the (New York Police Department) cannot guarantee Jewish students’ safety in the face of extreme antisemitism and anarchy.”
The protests, in which police arrested more 100 participants, included a “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” that was organized by Columbia University Apartheid Divest, along with Jewish Voice for Peace and Students for Justice in Palestine.
Several of the university’s Jewish students reported harassment based on their heritage as well being attacked by masked protesters. Many have called for peaceful protests during this time; however, some universities have struggled to make these requests a reality.
The violence has sparked a response from the White House.
“Calls for violence and physical intimidation targeting Jewish students and the Jewish community are blatantly antisemitic, unconscionable and dangerous – they have absolutely no place on any college campus, or anywhere in the United States of America,” said White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates. “And echoing the rhetoric of terrorist organizations, especially in the wake of the worst massacre committed against the Jewish people since the Holocaust, is despicable.”
