House Republican lawmakers from New York are calling for the resignation of Columbia University’s president, Minouche Shafik after the school moved to remote learning on the day of Passover due to safety concerns for Jewish students.
Led by House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik, the New York delegation sent a scathing letter to Shafik, accusing her of failing to provide a safe learning environment for students. The lawmakers highlighted the ongoing pro-Palestinian protests on campus, which have resulted in multiple arrests and suspensions of students.
The encampment, which students refuse to leave until the university divests from companies with ties to Israel, has caused widespread disruption and intimidation on campus. Despite Shafik’s claims of a zero-tolerance policy for anti-Semitism, students have celebrated terrorist attacks on Israel, and a pro-terror professor continues to teach without facing consequences.
Islamist gets young students to recite an Arabic chant praising Hamas, encouraging them to become martyrs.
“I wish I was a martyr.”
Notorious antisemite and anarchist Nerdeen Kiswani then appears in the video, encouraging the students to chant.
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) April 22, 2024
The lawmakers also criticized Shafik’s recent testimony before Congress, where she claimed to be committed to confronting anti-Semitism on campus. The delegation called her testimony “hollow” and pointed out the lack of enforcement of university policies, including a cover-up of a pro-terror professor’s actions.
They’re calling it the “People’s University for Palestine” but these are a bunch of suburban White kids whose parents can afford to pay $66,000 a year plus room & board to send them to learn at Columbia.
And they want to be Communists.
Such idiots. pic.twitter.com/KZXboLFUVP
— Joey Mannarino (@JoeyMannarinoUS) April 22, 2024
It is clear that Shafik’s leadership has failed to address the ongoing chaos on campus, and the New York GOP delegation has lost all confidence in her ability to lead the institution. They are calling for her prompt resignation, stating that only she can take responsibility for the “systemic rot” at the university.
Jewish Columbia University Professor Shai Davidai had his card deactivated and was unable to enter campus.
Columbia University has officially sided with the pro-Hamas occupiers.
Absolutely bizarro world. pic.twitter.com/YgtLc9PgV3
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) April 22, 2024
In a show of bipartisan support for the safety of Jewish students at Columbia University, Jewish House Democrats also showed up on campus to stand with students against the ongoing harassment and intimidation.
One participant, Rep. Jared Moskowitz, who should have been celebrating Passover with his family, instead found himself standing with Jewish students who had been targeted on their own campus. He urged Shafik to take action and not make the same mistake as presidents of other universities, who have faced backlash and resignation for failing to protect their students.
Shafik’s resignation is a necessary step towards restoring order and repairing the damage that has been done. The New York GOP delegation and Jewish House Democrats are sending a clear message – enough is enough. It’s time for change at Columbia University.
