Columbia University President Minouche Shafik said no deal had been reached between school officials and protesting students as the anti-Israel encampment continues for more than 12 days.
Days after drawing a red line for anti-Israel students who pitched tents in the heart of campus, Columbia University says talks to dismantle an anti-Israel encampment are still ongoing.
Columbia University President Nemat «Minouche» Shafik said no deal had been reached between school officials and protesting students. She also lamented that non-protesting students were forced to leave campus amid safety concerns.
«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 in a Monday statement.
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.»
Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-NY, responded to the Columbia statement, swiping its «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 in New York City, which has become the epicenter of similar protests at elite colleges and universities across the U.S., has continued since April 18.
That following Tuesday, April 23, the university notified the agitators of a midnight deadline to reach an agreement to clear out of the encampment, pack up their tents and go home. Hours later, the university said it would give the students an additional 48 hours for negotiations.
