New York Lawmakers Demand Columbia University President Resign Amid Hate-Filled Anti-Israel Protests - 'No Confidence In Your Leadership'

On Monday, New York Republicans demanded that Columbia University President Minouche Shafik resign from her position amid ongoing anti-Israel protests on the Ivy League campus that have led to the university administration to cancel in-person classes. 

The letter sent to the Columbia president, signed by Reps. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), Claudi Tenney (R-NY), Nicholas Langworthy (R-NY), Michael Lawler (R-NY), Anthony D'Esposito (R-NY), Nick LaLota (R-NY), Brandon Williams (R-NY), Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), and Marcus Molinaro (R-NY), stated that the lawmakers have "no confidence" in her leadership of the institution. The letter comes after Shafik testified before Congress last week that she is committed to enforcing university policy when these mass anti-Israel protests take place.

"Over the past few days, anarchy has engulfed the campus of Columbia University," the letter opens. "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 situation unfolding on campus right now is a direct product of your policies and misguided decisions...Based on these recent events and your testimony in front of Congress, we have no confidence in your leadership of this once esteemed institution."

Despite the NYPD arresting 108 anti-Israel agitators last week, the demonstrators, who set up a massive encampment on the campus lawn, returned with a vengeance over the weekend, shouting hate-filled antisemitic chants throughout campus. Some of the slogans heard on the campus include, "We say justice; you say how? Burn Tel Aviv to the ground! Hamas, we love you. We support your rockets, too! It is right to rebel, Al-Qassam, give them hell! It is right to rebel, Hamas give them hell! Free, free, free Palestine!"
 

More absolute insanity out of @Columbia tonight.
"Al-Qassam you make us proud! Take another soldier out!"
"We say justice, you say how? Burn Tel Aviv to the ground!"
"Hamas we love you. We support your rockets too!"
"Red, black, green, and white, we support Hamas’ fight!"
"It… pic.twitter.com/er1kSyEX5z

— Israel War Room (@IsraelWarRoom) April 21, 2024

"The unsanctioned mob of students and agitators being permitted to continue to target Jewish students has led to several documented incidents of despicable antisemitic harassment and calls for violence and terrorism since your testimony about enforcing the consequences," the NY GOP delegation explained. "The situation has posed such a danger to Jewish students that Rabbi Elie Buechler, with the Orthodox Union Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus, messaged Orthodox Jewish students recommending they return home."

Over the weekend, Rabbi Buechler warned over 250 Jewish students in a WhatsApp message about the dangerous climate on campus. "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 antisemitism and anarchy," the rabbi wrote. "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."

You can read the full letter from the NY GOP delegation below:

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