Amid ongoing protests at the Ivy League school, anti-Israel agitators on Columbia University's campus have “crossed the line” and become a terrorist organization, a professor told Fox News Digital.
“What we saw yesterday was a pro-terrorist student group cross the line into becoming an actual terrorist organization,” business professor Shai Davidai told FOX Digital.
Davidai cited Saturday's video footage as a breaking point when protesters “crossed the line.” One of the demonstrators was seen holding a placard that read “al-Qassam's (sic) next target” and pointing at a group of Jewish students who were singing and waving Israeli flags. Ta. Al-Qassam is the military wing of the terrorist organization Hamas.
Hundreds of protesters reappeared on Columbia University's campus on Saturday, with videos on social media showing them chanting and spewing red smoke in front of Columbia's East Gate.
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Anti-Israel students demonstrate on the Columbia University campus on Thursday, April 18, 2024, in New York City. (Peter Garber, Fox News Digital)
“Up, up with liberation. Down, down with occupation,” they shouted through the locked campus gates.
The demonstrators also chanted, “Al-Qassam, you are proud of us. Kill another soldier now,” and “We say justice, you say method. Burn down Tel Aviv.” ”, “Hamas loves you. We support your rockets. Too.”
The protests, which followed the outbreak of war in Israel on October 7, focused on demands by students and protesters for Columbia University to completely withdraw from Israel.
Among the chants shouted by anti-Israel demonstrators was: “We love Hamas. We also support your rockets.” (Peter Garber, Fox News Digital)
“We demand that Columbia University sever its academic ties with Israeli universities, and we demand that Columbia University end its censorship and intimidation of students who stand up and advocate for the liberation of Palestine.” one person shouted last week, the New York Post reported.
Davidai blamed the on-campus anti-Semitism on the administration and faculty, and said he emboldened protesters who had not taken action against anti-Semitism on campus since the outbreak of war in Israel. he says.
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“All of the teachers and others whose names were mentioned in the Congressional hearings not only incite them, but also support them, repeatedly show up at the terrorists' illegal encampments, telling them to proceed and encouraging them. , they are encouraged by an administration that made a big show of bringing in the New York City Police Department on Thursday, arresting 108 students for trespassing and bringing them back to campus like a turnstile. ,” He said.
On April 19, 2024, anti-Israel student protesters raise banners and Palestinian flags as they resume their demonstration at Columbia University, the third day of the Gaza Solidarity Encampment after mass arrests by New York City police. ing. (Selcuk Achar/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Davidai compared the protests and anti-Semitism to a fire, saying that “the brainwashed student mob is the burning substance,” while “an administration that did absolutely nothing for an extraordinary six months” provided the oxygen to the fire. He claimed that he was playing a role. “Pro-Hamas professors are arsonists.”
At least three people were arrested Saturday on charges of disorderly conduct, the New York Post reported. Another person was seen being taken away on a stretcher by EMS and being treated for unknown reasons.
“We want justice, but how do we say that? Stop arming Israel now,” protesters shouted Saturday.
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Saturday's protests came after more than 100 protesters were arrested on Thursday after police raided a tent encampment they had set up in what they called a “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” and a “liberated zone.” . The daughter of Democratic Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar was among those arrested Thursday after she had earlier in the day “taken a stand in solidarity with Palestinians facing genocide.” Fox Digital earlier reported that he had been suspended from Barnard College.
In a message, Columbia University's Orthodox rabbi told students to leave campus “as soon as possible” until the situation improves. (Selcuk Achar/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Davidei also took issue with New York politicians who have remained silent on the protests, calling Democratic Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand in particular “shameful.”
“And New York State Sen. Chuck Schumer hasn't said anything at all. And Gillibrand hasn't said anything at all. And shame on these people. Shame on them. And I I want to see them go. It's not because I don't believe in them. They have liberal values, but I don't believe in their morals. And we can't just say things to Jewish students last night, and this morning, and the past four days, and the past six months. We have seen Jewish students defend themselves,” Davidai said.
“And now it's not just the NYPD, but the National Guard. [Kathy] Hochul has to come in and say something,” he added.
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Lizzy Sabetsky, a New York-born Jewish influencer, told Fox that the protests were “very disturbing,” considering New York City is home to the world's largest Jewish community outside of Israel. “More local leaders need to step up and take action,” he said, echoing Davidai. About protests.
New York City police officers patrol as protesters demonstrate outside the Columbia University campus on Thursday, April 18, 2024, in New York City. (Peter Garber, Fox News Digital)
“Columbia’s violent protests stand in stark contrast to our city’s values of diversity and mutual respect,” she said. “As a Jewish activist in New York City, I stand with students who face intimidation and discrimination on campus. Columbia University prioritizes the safety of all students and ensures that their access to education is protected. With an alarming increase in anti-Semitic attacks across the city, state, and region, officials must protect Colombia's Jewish community and fight terrorist sponsors on the streets. We must take urgent action.”
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Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, who has publicly condemned anti-Semitism on U.S. campuses for months, last week told Columbia University President Minoush Shafik that she would “resign immediately” and that the school would “resign Jewish students.” “Appoint someone to protect them and enforce school policy.” . ”
Yola Ashkenazy, a student at Barnard College and Columbia University, told Fox News Digital on Sunday that conditions on campus were “horrible, dangerous, and intolerable” and that protesters were crossing the line. He said he was becoming “violent.”
“Saturday night, student protesters proudly cried for the death of Jewish and Israeli students. “I pride myself on critical thinking, but this week I saw it completely gone,” she said.
“Jewish students are currently unable to come to campus. It is unacceptable to deny us the education we have worked so hard to earn. “We have to do everything in our power to make sure that it's possible,” Ashkenazy said.
Sheila Nazarian, a Columbia University alumnus and Iranian plastic surgeon, told FOX Digital that she stopped donating to the school because of anti-Semitism on campus, and the administration expels students who participate in anti-Semitism. He said it was time for the National Guard to respond to the campus while it had to. Protest activity.
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“Having studied in the classrooms of Columbia University, I have always admired the university's commitment to intellectual diversity and open discussion,” she said. “However, recent events such as anti-Israel protests and inflammatory rhetoric on campus are deeply concerning. As an alumnus, I believe that Columbia University needs to protect the rights of all students, including students. “I believe in the importance of upholding the principles of inclusivity while protecting Jewish Columbia University's failure to prevent the student body from passing a BDS resolution, with donations from many alumni, including myself. Until this anti-Semitism issue is resolved, they will not receive a single penny from me in donations. ”
“Jewish students cannot be on campus right now,” said one student. (Peter Garber, Fox News Digital)
“It is imperative that university authorities begin taking decisive steps to address and denounce all forms of discrimination and hostility directed against Jewish students. Call in the National Guard. Stop accepting them. Fire the terrorist sympathizers on staff and expel the terrorist students. They are all adults and must be held accountable,” she added.
During the Columbia University demonstration, anti-Israel demonstrators were heard shouting “We are Hamas” and “Long live Hamas”
Fox News Digital reached out to the school for comment on its response to the protests, but did not immediately receive a response.
“We demand that Colombia sever its academic ties with Israeli universities, and we demand that Colombia end its censorship and intimidation of students who stand up and advocate for the liberation of Palestine,” one protester said. reportedly shouted last week. (Peter Garber, Fox News Digital)
The Orthodox rabbis of Columbia University and Barnard College called on students in a message this weekend to leave campus “as soon as possible” until the situation improves, saying, “What we are witnessing on and around campus… It's horrifying and tragic.”
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Rabbi Elie Buechler said, “The past few days, and especially last night's events, have shown that Columbia University Public Safety and the New York City Police Department are unable to guarantee the safety of Jewish students in the face of extreme anti-Semitism and disorder. It has become clear,” he wrote. “Unfortunately, we strongly advise you to return home as soon as possible and remain at home until the situation on and around campus improves dramatically.”
Fox News Digital’s Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.