Columbia University Rabbi Urges Jewish Students to Prioritize Safety Amid Campus Protests
In light of escalating tensions on campus regarding the conflict in Gaza, a rabbi linked to Columbia University advises Jewish students to prioritize their safety by returning home and staying there. The recommendation comes amidst protests calling for university divestment from Israel.
A rabbi from Columbia University’s Orthodox Union Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus advised Jewish students to go home and stay there amidst ongoing protests against the war in Gaza and calls for the university to divest from Israel.
Rabbi Elie Buechler, who serves as the rabbi for the Columbia/Barnard Hillel, confirmed to CNN's Jake Tapper that he had sent a WhatsApp message to a group of around 300 mostly Orthodox Jewish students strongly suggesting they return home and remain there. This message was sent out before the start of Passover, a significant Jewish holiday scheduled to begin on Monday evening.
Recent incidents at Columbia University have highlighted the fact that Jewish students' safety cannot be guaranteed by the university's Public Safety and the NYPD, according to Buechler's statement.
NYPD officers detain a person as pro-Palestinian protesters gather outside of Columbia University in New York City on April 18, 2024. Officers cleared out a pro-Palestinian campus demonstration on April 18, a day after university officials testified about anti-Semitism before Congress. Leaders of Columbia University defended the prestigious New York school's efforts to combat anti-Semitism on campus at a fiery congressional hearing on April 17. (Photo by Kena Betancur / AFP) (Photo by KENA BETANCUR/AFP via Getty Images)
NYPD officers detained a person outside Columbia University in New York City on April 18, 2024, as pro-Palestinian protesters gathered. The officers cleared out a pro-Palestinian campus demonstration the day after university officials testified about anti-Semitism before Congress. Leaders of Columbia University defended their efforts to combat anti-Semitism on campus at a heated congressional hearing on April 17. (Photo by Kena Betancur / AFP) (Photo by KENA BETANCUR/AFP via Getty Images)
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The message from the rabbi strongly advises you to go back home and stay there until the situation around campus gets better.
The rabbi's message was prompted by videos of a man near the university making threatening statements like, "Never forget the seventh of October," and warning of repeated incidents happening thousands of times.
Groups of protesters have also gathered outside the campus gates in addition to the student protests on campus. It’s unclear from the video whether the person yelling is affiliated with the university.
Columbia University Apartheid Divest addressed the “unassociated incidents” in an Instagram story, emphasizing that their main focus is the safety of all. This includes not antagonizing counter protestors or escalating situations unnecessarily.
CNN has contacted Columbia University to inquire about Rabbi Buechler's message to the Jewish students.
On Saturday, students continued their demonstrations for the fourth day at the prestigious school, even camping out overnight on the school's lawns.
Columbia’s Campus Rabbi Yonah Hain reassured CNN that the university’s Center for Jewish Student Life is open and will continue to welcome students.
The university’s president asked the NYPD to remove student protestors on Thursday, resulting in the arrest of more than 100 individuals. According to NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell, the arrested students were peaceful, did not resist, and expressed their views in a peaceful manner.
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CNN has reached out to Columbia University and the university’s Advisory Committee on Socially Responsible Investing for more information on their investments and for comment on the protest organizers’ allegations.
The encampment was organized by Columbia University Apartheid Divest, Students for Justice in Palestine, and Jewish Voice for Peace. They came together to protest the university's financial investments in companies profiting from Israeli apartheid, genocide, and military occupation of Palestine, as stated in a news release from Columbia University Apartheid Divest.
The death toll of Israel's war in Gaza keeps increasing, with at least 34,097 Palestinians killed and 76,980 injured since October, according to the enclave's health ministry. Israel's attacks have been ongoing since a Hamas attack on October 7 resulted in over 1,200 casualties.
The protests have sparked solidarity rallies at various universities, including Yale, Harvard, the University of North Carolina, and Boston University. The suspension and arrests of students involved in the demonstrations have further fueled the support for the cause.
In January, the International Court of Justice determined that Israel may have been breaking genocide laws during its conflict in Gaza and instructed Israel to do everything possible to stop genocide.
Israel reacted by dismissing the accusation of genocide made by South Africa as "completely distorted." Israel told the United Nations’ top court that the case was an effort to twist the true meaning of the term.
CNN’s Sarah Dewberry contributed to this report.
Editor's P/S:
The article highlights the heightened tensions and safety concerns surrounding Jewish students at Columbia University amidst ongoing protests against the war in Gaza and calls for the university to divest from Israel. The rabbi's message urging Jewish students to return home underscores the perceived threat to their well-being, particularly in light of recent incidents and threatening statements. The protests, organized by student groups, aim to draw attention to the university's investments in companies allegedly profiting from Israeli actions in Palestine.
The situation at Columbia University reflects the broader national debate over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the role of universities in addressing social justice issues. The protests have sparked solidarity rallies at other universities, while the university's response, including the arrests of students, has drawn criticism. The ongoing conflict and the international community's concerns about potential genocide further complicate the situation, highlighting the need for dialogue and peaceful resolution.
