Anti-Israel Protests: NYC GOP Lawmakers Demand Columbia University President’s Resignation

Students protest in support of Palestine and for free speech outside of the Columbia University campus in New York City, on November 15, 2023. Spencer Platt/Getty Images

All New York GOP members of Congress have demanded that Columbia University’s president resign immediately for failing to enforce the school’s policies and protect Jewish students as anti-Israel demonstrations escalated at the Ivy League school.

In a letter dated April 22 to Columbia University’s president, Minouche Shafik, New York House Republicans criticized her for letting “a large unauthorized antisemitic riot” engulf its campus.

“As the leader of this institution, one of your chief objectives, morally and under law, is to ensure students have a safe learning environment. By every measure, you have failed this obligation,” the lawmakers wrote. “The situation unfolding on campus right now is a direct product of your policies and misguided decisions.”

The letter comes as protests erupted at the 270-year-old university on April 17 in response to Israel’s military actions against Hamas in Gaza. New York police arrested more than 100 pro-Palestine protesters on campus on April 18 after they set up an encampment on the school’s lawns. Protesters resumed their demonstrations the next day despite mass suspensions and arrests.

The effort to remove Ms. Shafik, led by Rep. Elise Stefani (R-N.Y.), also raised concerns over the safety of Jewish students. Tensions at the university campus intensified when an Orthodox Rabbi at Columbia University and Barnard College sent a WhatsApp message to nearly 300 Jewish students, urging them to go home for their safety.

“What we are witnessing in and around campus is terrible and tragic. The events of the last few days, especially last night, have made it clear that Columbia University’s Public Safety and the NYPD cannot guarantee Jewish students’ safety in the face of extreme anti-Semitism and anarchy,” Rabbi Elie Buechler wrote to students in Yavneh, the Orthodox student community.

Last week, Ms. Shafik testified before Congress about anti-Semitism on campus. The testimony followed last year’s controversial congressional hearing that led to the resignations of the presidents of two Ivy League schools, Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania.

During the hearing, the House Committee on Education and the Workforce accused Ms. Shafik of failing to protect Jewish students on campus. Ms. Shafik responded that the university faced a “moral crisis” because of anti-Semitism on campus. She also told lawmakers that Columbia University had taken decisive measures against suspected perpetrators.

In the letter, the lawmakers blamed Ms. Shafik for her weak enforcement of school policies that allow agitators to go unchecked. “While the rot is systemic, the responsibility rests squarely on your shoulders,” the lawmakers said. “It is time for Columbia University to turn the page on this shameful chapter. This can only be done through the restoration of order and your prompt resignation.”

The ongoing protests prompted the university to cancel all in-person classes on April 22 and switch to online platforms in an effort to de-escalate the crisis.

The situation led the White House and lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to issue statements denouncing anti-Israel protests at the Ivy League university.

In addition, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) have called on President Joe Biden to deploy the National Guard to the university to protect Jewish students.

President Biden also issued a statement condemning the situation in a message for Passover, a Jewish holiday that starts on April 22.

In the statement, the president spoke out against an “alarming surge of anti-Semitism” in U.S. schools, communities, and online. However, he did not specifically mention incidents at Columbia University. “This blatant anti-Semitism is reprehensible and dangerous—and it has absolutely no place on college campuses or anywhere in our country,” the president said.

“My administration will continue to speak out and aggressively implement the first-ever National Strategy to Counter Anti-Semitism, putting the full force of the federal government behind protecting the Jewish community,” he added.

Former President Donald Trump also commented on the situation, suggesting that the police presence at the courthouse where his trial is being held should be redirected to Columbia University to protect Jewish students.

During an interview with Fox News on April 21, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said the anti-Semitism on campus originates from cultural Marxism that penetrates U.S. universities, indoctrinating students. “This tragically is cultural Marxism that our universities are indoctrinating young people.”

On April 16, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) reported 8,873 incidents of anti-Semitism in the United States in 2023, marking a 140 percent increase. The figure represents the highest level recorded since the ADL began collecting data in 1979.

Emel Akan contributed to this report.