An Orthodox rabbi at Columbia University sent a message to Jewish students warning of “extreme antisemitism and anarchy” after pro-Palestinian protests led to clashes with police officers on campus. Rabbi Elie Buechler advised students to go home for their safety. Videos of the protests circulating on social media showed threats and hate speech targeting Jewish students. Nearly 100 Columbia students were arrested after law enforcement was called to shut down a student-led encampment sit-in. Protests have continued despite the arrests, with the action expected to continue in the coming days.
The protests at Columbia University are part of a larger trend of demonstrations at American colleges following Israel’s war with Hamas, with university presidents being called to testify before Congress about handling discrimination and antisemitism. Jewish students at Columbia have been threatened with violence and hate speech, leading to concerns about their safety. The Gaza conflict has resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with Palestinian groups demanding divestment from corporations supporting Israeli action. Calls for violence targeting Jewish students have been condemned by government officials, with New York Governor Kathy Hochul asserting the need for a safe learning environment free from harassment and violence.
The Columbia/Barnard Hillel has urged Jewish students to remain on campus while calling on university and city officials to enhance security measures. The Hillel group emphasized the importance of providing support and resources to ensure the safety of Jewish students on campus. Columbia University has stated that it is taking action to address the concerns raised by Jewish students and provide additional support to maintain the safety of the campus community. The university recognizes the right to protest but will not tolerate disruption of campus life or harassment of fellow students.
FBI Director Christopher Wray has expressed concern about potential threats to Jewish gatherings, high-profile events, and religious locations amid the start of Passover, as well as increased hate crime investigations related to antisemitic incidents. Federal law enforcement agencies have alerted to heightened threats against Jewish and Muslim Americans in the wake of the Israel-Hamas conflict. The FBI has opened a significant number of hate crime investigations following the outbreak of violence in the Middle East, emphasizing the need for vigilance and preventative measures within vulnerable communities. Security measures and support systems are being implemented to protect at-risk groups against potential violence and discrimination.
