Several Democrats in the Senate have united with their Republican colleagues in denouncing discrimination against Jewish students at Columbia University, where an anti-Israel protest has led to classes being moved online. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the highest ranking Jewish elected official in U.S. history, emphasized the importance of keeping campuses safe for all students and spoke out against antisemitism and violence targeting Jewish students. Other Democratic senators, including Kirsten Gillibrand, Jacky Rosen, and John Fetterman, also condemned the antisemitic displays at the university.
The protest at Columbia University began last week with students demanding the university divest from companies with ties to Israel. The demonstration quickly grew in size and posed a safety threat to Jewish students, prompting concerns about their well-being on campus. An Orthodox rabbi at the school advised Jewish students to leave due to safety concerns. Senator Gillibrand denounced the violence and threats against Jewish students, emphasizing the importance of tolerance and peaceful religious practice.
Some Democrats, including Jacky Rosen and John Fetterman, publicly expressed outrage at the antisemitic displays at Columbia University. Fetterman compared the situation to the 2017 Charlottesville rally, condemning the threats of violence against Jewish students. While many Democrats have spoken out against the events at Columbia, Senator Tom Cotton blamed the party for allowing the radical anti-Israel protesters to flourish within its base. The White House also condemned the rhetoric of terrorist organizations surrounding the protest at the university.
Republicans in the Senate were quick to condemn the encampment at Columbia University, with Senator Marsha Blackburn suggesting deporting any student on a visa who supports Hamas and is arrested. Many GOP members have consistently shown support for Israel and the Jewish people, particularly during the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas. Democrats have been more cautious in their statements regarding Israel and the conflict, leading to criticism from Republicans over their support for the country.
President Biden has faced criticism from Republicans for pulling back support for Israel, a key U.S. ally in the Middle East. There have been concerns raised about changing U.S. policy towards Israel based on its actions in minimizing civilian casualties. Republicans have accused Biden and other Democrats of emboldening Israel’s adversaries, particularly following Iran’s direct attack on the country. The divide within the Democratic Party on issues related to Israel has become more pronounced, with statements regarding events at Columbia University taking on added significance.
