Former President Donald Trump criticized Jewish lawmakers for allegedly “abandoning” Israel as the New York Police Department cleared Columbia University’s Hamilton Hall of a pro-terror mob. Trump questioned why Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer was not speaking up in support of Israel, suggesting that he may be more concerned with votes than representing Israel. He emphasized the need to stop the war on terrorists and condemned the violent protests that were taking place.
NYC Mayor Eric Adams reported that 109 people had been arrested at Columbia overnight, although the exact number of those taken out of Hamilton Hall was unclear. Schumer, as the highest-ranking elected Jewish official in the US, denounced the protests on the Senate floor, stating that smashing windows and taking over university buildings is not free speech, but rather lawlessness that should be met with consequences. Republicans such as Rep. Mike Lawler criticized Schumer for being “unconscionably timid” about the antisemitic protests.
Schumer had previously called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu an obstacle to peace and urged Israel to hold a new election once the conflict with Hamas was over. Trump suggested that the protesters may have been “brainwashed” to deny the violent attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, which resulted in numerous fatalities. He urged Israel to complete the war on terror quickly for the sake of order and law in the country.
Trump warned that the situation in Israel was unsustainable and called for Israel to finish its operations against Hamas swiftly in order to restore order. He emphasized the importance of respecting law and order in the country. A spokesperson for Schumer did not immediately respond to the criticism from Trump regarding his stance on the protests and support for Israel. Trump’s comments and concerns regarding the situation in Israel were made during an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity.
Overall, the issue highlighted tensions within the Jewish community and conflicting views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Trump’s remarks indicated his strong support for Israel and his belief in the need to defeat terrorism. Schumer’s response and handling of the protests were criticized by Republicans for being too timid. The situation at Columbia University reflected broader societal concerns about the rise of antisemitism and the need for strong consequences for violent actions. The ongoing conflict in Israel and the challenges of finding a lasting peace were at the center of the debate between Trump, Schumer, and other political figures.
