Columbia University canceled all in-person classes Monday as pro-Palestinian protests continued to rock the Ivy League institution.
The move came hours before the evening start of the Jewish holiday of Passover.
Last week, police arrested more than 100 pro-Palestinian demonstrators at Columbia who had set up an encampment on the New York City campus, as Breitbart News reported.
Police held the anti-Israel protesters on a charge of criminal trespass.
They were reportedly detained with no resistance.
Columbia President Minouche Shafik said in a note addressed to the school community Monday she was “deeply saddened” by what was happening on campus, according to the Independent.
Participants at Columbia University Pro-Palestinian Protest Chant: Oh Al-Qassam Brigades, You Make Us Proud, Kill Another Soldier Now! Israel Will Fall! Palestine Is Arab! @Columbia pic.twitter.com/RxAy03B2fS
— MEMRI (@MEMRIReports) April 18, 2024
“To deescalate the rancor and give us all a chance to consider next steps, I am announcing that all classes will be held virtually on Monday,” Shafik said.
She said faculty and staff should work remotely, where possible, and that students who didn’t live on campus should stay away.
Shafik said the Middle East conflict is terrible and that she understands that many are experiencing deep moral distress.
“But we cannot have one group dictate terms and attempt to disrupt important milestones like graduation to advance their point of view,” Shafik wrote.
A working group of deans, school administrators and faculty is looking to find a resolution to the university crisis, noted Shafik, who didn’t say when in-person classes will resume.
On Sunday the White House issued a statement in response to the ongoing anti-Israel protests and encampment taking place at Columbia, describing them as being, “Antisemitic, unconscionable, and dangerous.”
White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates issued a statement acknowledging that American citizens have the “right to peaceful protest,” while adding “calls for violence and physical intimidation” against the Jewish community are unacceptable.
They should all be kicked out of school, their student loans be called due, banned from recieving any form of social services and if enrolled under a student visa the visa revoked and deported. There is no room in a civilized society for those who support the murder of innocent victims and terrorism.
Zionism = Nazi. People have every right to protest Israel and Zionism, but since the US is ruled by them, our government says How dare you!
You were the little bitch downvoting all the comments weren’t you? Why don’t you go back to the sewer in Palestine where you belong?
the bitch is a nobody, a nothing , the lowest of the low like the rest of her kind, scum.
You are a brainwashed idiot with no humanity.
Islam is the devils spawn & a crime to humanity. I hope Israel wipes palestine of the map. All palestinians are terrorists , evil vile people . Islam = bloodshed, torture, kiddie fiddling ,raping. Islam is a cult under the guise of a religion, real religions are not evil like islam. Your scum like the rest of your lot .Palestine is dead!!!ISRAEL FOREVER!!!.
Ha ha ha ha ha , dumbo.Your an ass like all your kind. Your insanely jealous of Jewish people. Tell me something of worth islam has ever given to the world?? ZERO!! Now toddle of & see all the good things Jewish people have given to the world, go on dearie , of you go.
Pick up a history book Chris. “Zionism = Nazi”…..Who in their LEFT mind taught you that?? If you really care to find the roots of fascism in the ME, try learning about the Nazi hierarchy that fled there after WW2. Stop swallowing the propaganda, learn to think for yourself.
Surprising how many evil pea brained easily led moronics are supporting terrorists. Everyone pro palestine supporter is a possible future terrorist , every antisemite is a future terrorist . Remember how the palestinians -aka-terrorists sneaked up on families in the Kebbutz in October, ? killing whole families young and old and how many were burned alive where they were hiding . All islamics think alike, their evil bk tells them to hate all non followers , they want to commit genocide on the Jewish people of Israel & then the rest of us. Take your guns to bed with you, your friendly islamic neighbour is not your friend when push comes to shove , it’s inbred into them from day one to deceive & hate us..
These woke University are off the list for my child to attend. They show how they have nothing to offer except hatred.