Protests have been active on Columbia University’s campus since the start of Israel’s war with Hamas on October 7.
An Orthodox rabbi associated with Columbia University sent out a message to over 290 Jewish students Sunday morning warning that they should go home « as soon as possible » amid a rise of « extreme antisemitism and anarchy. »
The message, which was sent out on WhatsApp by Rabbi Elie Buechler, comes a few days after pro-Palestinian protestors clashed with police officers after holding a « Gaza Solidarity Encampment » on Columbia’s south lawn. Several American colleges have been thrust into the spotlight amid Israel’s war with Hamas, including some university presidents being called to testify before Congress over how they are handling instances of discrimination and antisemitism sentiment.
Buechler, who is associated with Columbia’s Union Jewish Learning Initiative, wrote in his message that the protests « in and around campus is terrible and tragic, » adding that recent events « have made it clear that Columbia University’s Public Safety and the NYPD [New York Police Department] cannot guarantee Jewish students’ safety in the face of extreme antisemitism and anarchy. »
According to a report by the New York Post, Jewish students who gathered on Columbia’s campus Saturday night to protest antisemitism were threatened with « hate speech » and « calls to violence. »
Videos also circulated on social media of the protest, including one clip shared to X, formerly Twitter, by activist Aviva Klompas, which showed a man holding a sign that read « Al-Qasam’s Next Targets » with an arrow pointing to students waving Israeli and American flags.
« It deeply pains me to say that I would strongly recommend you return home as soon as possible and remain home until the reality in and around campus has dramatically improved, » Buechler wrote in his message.
