House Republican lawmakers are urging major Columbia University donors who are outraged at the anti-Israel protests on campus to speak out with their wallets. They are calling for the resignation of Columbia University President Minouche Shafik and asking donors to pull donations and support for the university until demonstrable changes are made. Students at Columbia and Barnard College have been protesting the university’s investments in companies with ties to Israel, part of a wider progressive backlash against Israel’s response to Hamas’ terror attacks. However, these protests are now facing bipartisan backlash and accusations of leaning into antisemitic territory, with social media videos showing activists supporting Hamas and Jewish students feeling unsafe on campus.
In an open letter, House GOP lawmakers urged donors to follow the example of Robert Kraft, who rescinded his support in response to the protests. They called for a thorough review of school funding, an investigation into outside influences on students participating in disruptive incidents, and transparency on all university funding related to the anti-Israel movement on campus. Speaker Mike Johnson and other lawmakers denounced the protests during a visit to Columbia and reiterated their call for Shafik to resign, citing the safety concerns of Jewish students on campus. They promised that Congress would not stay silent as students were forced to hide in fear.
The protests at Columbia University and other colleges around the country have led to widespread concerns about antisemitism and safety on campus. Jewish students have reported feeling threatened and have experienced verbal and physical assaults. The House GOP lawmakers are urging donors to take action by withdrawing support for the university until changes are made to address these issues. The protests have sparked a national conversation about the line between activism and antisemitism, with accusations that the demonstrations have crossed that line.
The call for donors to act comes as tensions continue to rise at Columbia University, with students camped out on campus and demonstrating against the university’s ties to Israel. The protests have turned violent, with reports of students being assaulted and feeling unsafe. The House Republicans are demanding concrete changes in leadership and funding transparency before support is restored. The situation has garnered attention from national leaders, with Speaker Mike Johnson and other lawmakers speaking out against the protests and calling for accountability from the university.
As the protests at Columbia University escalate, Republicans in the House are urging major donors to take a stand against the antisemitic incidents occurring on campus. They are calling for the resignation of Columbia University President Minouche Shafik and for a review of school funding to investigate outside influences on student activism. The lawmakers are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of Jewish students on campus and are demanding action from the university to address the concerns raised by the protests. The issue has become a focal point for discussions around activism, antisemitism, and the role of universities in promoting a safe and inclusive environment for all students.
The protests at Columbia University have sparked a nationwide debate about the boundaries of activism and the rise of antisemitism on college campuses. Jewish students at Columbia and other universities have reported feeling threatened and unsafe due to the protests, which have included violent incidents. House Republicans are calling on donors to withhold support from the university until changes are made to address these concerns. The issue has gained attention from lawmakers at the national level, with Speaker Mike Johnson denouncing the protests and demanding accountability from the university. The calls for action highlight the importance of ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for all students on college campuses.
