Columbia’s Ongoing Anti-Israel Encampment Negotiations Reach Stalemate
Encampment’s Anti-Semitic Behavior Leaves Jewish Students Feeling Unsafe
Columbia University officials have disclosed that negotiations to dismantle an anti-Israel encampment at the heart of campus are ongoing, despite a previous deadline passing.
In a statement issued on Monday, President Nemat “Minouche” Shafik acknowledged that no agreement had been reached between school officials and protesting students. She also decried the fact that non-protesting students were compelled to leave campus due to safety worries.
“The University’s goal for the talks was a collaborative resolution with the protestors that would result in the orderly removal of the encampment from the lawn. The students also were asked to commit going forward to following the University’s rules, including those on the time, place, and manner for demonstrations and events,” Shafik said.
She added: “To that end, since Wednesday, a small group of academic leaders has been in constructive dialogue with student organizers to find a path that would result in the dismantling of the encampment and adherence to University policies going forward. Regretfully, we were not able to come to an agreement.”
Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, representing New York, criticized Columbia’s statement, denouncing the “abject failure of university leadership.”
“This is an absolute disgrace and an abject failure of university leadership,” Stefanik said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “It is telling that in this entire statement there is not a single condemnation of the vile antisemitism that is rampant in the illegal encampment. There is not a single mention of protecting Jewish students from raging antisemitism at Columbia.”
“As these so-called ‘elite’ universities fail on the global stage, it is more important than ever that Congress hold them accountable,” the lawmaker added.
The anti-Israel demonstration has been ongoing in New York City since April 18 and has become the focal point of comparable protests at respected colleges and universities throughout the United States. In a subsequent move, the university notified protesters on Tuesday, April 23, that they had until midnight to reach a settlement that would require them to leave the encampment, pack up their tents, and return home.
Hours later, the university extended the talks for another 48 hours. However, that deadline has also come and gone, and while the university stated there had been “progress” in the negotiations, no further information was provided.
Meanwhile, President Shafik expressed concern for the well-being of Jewish students who have been impacted by the encampment’s actions.
“The encampment has created an unwelcoming environment for many of our Jewish students and faculty,” the president stated bluntly. “External actors have contributed to creating a hostile environment in violation of
Data sourced from: foxnews.com
