The Orthodox rabbi serving Columbia University and Barnard College has sounded an urgent warning to Jewish students, advising them to leave campus immediately due to escalating anti-Israel sentiments and alarming levels of harassment.
In a message sent via WhatsApp, Rabbi Elie Buechler expressed grave concern over the situation and the inability of campus security to guarantee the safety of Jewish students in the face of “extreme antisemitism and anarchy.” He urged them to return home and remain there until the campus environment dramatically improves.
Reprehensible Behavior and Support for Terror
The rabbi’s message comes amid an ongoing “encampment” on campus, where anti-Israel agitators have espoused support for terrorism and advocated violence against Jewish students. Surveillance footage has captured disturbing chants and hateful rhetoric, including praise for the Hamas attacks of Oct. 7, where nearly 1,200 Israelis were slaughtered.
One protestor held a sign targeting Jewish students, exclaiming, “Al-Qasam’s next targets.” The Al-Qassam Brigade is Hamas’s military wing. Another incident involved demonstrators shouting at Jewish students leaving campus, “Go back to Europe,” and “All you do is colonize.”
Congressional Hearing and Lack of Accountability
Condemning the recent developments, House GOP Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik has demanded the immediate resignation of Columbia University President Dr. Nemat “Minouche” Shafik, citing the university’s failure to control its campus and protect Jewish students.
Stefanik accused university leadership of a “cover-up” during a congressional hearing last week, where they allegedly attempted to conceal their inability to enforce campus rules and address antisemitism. Despite allowing the New York Police Department onto campus, the more than 100 protesters arrested and suspended from the university have since been released.
Calls for Action and Police Protection
The anti-Israel encampment remains on the university campus, with demonstrators occupying the space under the watchful eyes of police officers stationed across the gates.
In response to the precarious situation, Jewish professor Shai Davidai has called for the National Guard to intervene if the NYPD is unable to take action to disperse the crowd and arrest those inciting violence.
“This is a hostile takeover of the university,” Davidai said. “It’s a showdown of support for Hamas on one hand and Western civilization on the other hand…. The showdown is happening on Columbia’s campus.”
Davidai is seeking approval from Columbia leadership for a peaceful gathering in the center of the encampment on Monday, where Jewish students will assemble under police escort. “We’re not going to engage with the other side, but we need protection,” he said.
House Republicans Condemn
At a congressional hearing on Wednesday, House Republicans expressed outrage over the lack of consequences faced by Columbia professors who have openly celebrated or condoned Hamas attacks against Israel.
Professor Joseph Massad described Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack as a “resistance offensive,” while Professor Katherine Franke asserted that “all Israeli students who served in the I.D.F. are dangerous and shouldn’t be on campus.” Professor Mohamed Abdou posted social media messages expressing support for Hamas, Hezbollah, and Islamic Jihad.
“It’s too bad that Columbia decided to bend over backwards to accommodate its pro-Hamas radicals until now,” said pundit Ben Shapiro.
Enduring Harassment and Denial of Human Rights
Davidai maintains that the demonstrations are not motivated by genuine human rights concerns but serve as a platform to justify terrorism and delegitimize Israel.
“From the very first moment, these protests were about justifying rape as a means to a goal,” he said, referring to the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks. “That is not about human rights.”
Amid the ongoing turmoil, the LA News Center expresses deep concern for the safety and well-being of Jewish students at Columbia University. We urge the university administration to take immediate and decisive action to address the antisemitism on campus and to provide adequate protection for all students, regardless of their beliefs or affiliations.
