By Casey Harper (The Center Square)
Pro-Hamas demonstrations on college campuses have become increasingly intense and even violent in recent days, forcing lawmakers to call for change.
U.S. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) sent a letter to Columbia University’s Board of Trustees this week offering an ultimatum: “Take action against anti-Semitism or lose federal funding.”
“The anti-Israel mob that has taken over Columbia University in New York City is both disturbing and un-American,” Scott said in the letter. “Given the ongoing threat of violence, Jewish students no longer feel safe on Columbia’s campus. Over the weekend, A student was attacked by a pro-Hamas demonstrator. This was not a peaceful demonstration in support of a social or civic cause.
Scott’s letter A Jewish student on the Yale campus was reportedly stabbed in the eye by a Palestinian flag during a pro-Hamas demonstration. Students and faculty at New York University went on strike against pro-Hamas protests. According to media reports, police arrested about 150 pro-Hamas protesters at New York University and Yale University.
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has publicly announced that he will stop donating to Columbia University due to anti-Semitic protests.
Protests on campus began after the Hamas terrorist organization invaded Israel on October 7, killing more than 1,000 people, including many civilians, some of whom were raped, and children killed by Hamas. Israel responded with a prolonged bombing campaign in Gaza, targeting members of Hamas. Now, however, Iran and Israel are fighting, escalating tensions in the region.
Just like the previous central square reportVideo of a protest on Columbia University’s campus shows protesters shouting calls for violence.
- “We talk about justice, what do you say? Burn Tel Aviv to the ground!”
- “Hamas we love you. We also support your rockets!
- “Red, black, green and white, we support Hamas in the fight!”
- “Rebellion is right, let Hamas give them hell!”
Scott joined U.S. Sen. Tim Scott in introducing the Stop Anti-Semitism on College Campuses Act, which would end penalties for colleges and universities that “support, authorize, or promote anti-Semitic activity.” of federal funding.
“As a member of the Columbia University Board of Trustees, you must use the power of your position to demand action from the administration or to remove current leadership and install an administration that will ensure student safety. If you fail to do this, Congress will act ,” the letter said. “We will not stand idly by while American students are threatened by terrorist sympathizers who call for the annihilation of the Jewish people and the destruction of Israel.”
Likewise, a coalition of senators sent a letter to the Biden administration calling on the U.S. Departments of Justice and Education to reinstate Campus Orders.
“You need to take action to restore order and protect Jewish students on our college campuses,” the letter said. President Biden issued a statement on Sunday aimed at condemning the outbreak of anti-Semitism. If this claim is serious, your department must take immediate action.
House Speaker Mike Johnson called on the president of Columbia University to resign after he allowed pro-Hamas protests to get out of hand and lead to school closures, the latest development in chaos on campuses across the country.
Johnson joined Jewish students on Columbia’s campus in calling for the resignation of Columbia University President Minush Shafiq, calling her a “weak leader.”
“They can’t even keep Jewish students safe?” Johnson said on Hugh Hewitt’s show. “Should they run for their lives and stay home from school? It’s maddening. …
“What we are seeing on college campuses across the country is abhorrent and unacceptable, and every leader, every political official, every conscientious citizen must stand up and say, this is not who we are. The way America is, we have to be responsible, and that’s what my colleagues and I are going to work towards.
Even Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned anti-Semitism on American campuses.
“Anti-Semitism on American campuses is reminiscent of what happened in German universities in the 1930s,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter). “The world cannot stand idly by.”
Columbia University did not respond to a request for comment.
Co-organized with permission of Center Square.
