Columbia University Jews Flee for Safety

Jewish students were told to flee Columbia University campus due to vehement pro-Palestinian protests on Sunday. The instruction came from Rabbi Elie Buechler, director of Columbia’s Orthodox Union-Jewish Learning Initiative, to more than 290 students in a group chat.

The context: Since Hamas’s October 7 invasion of Israel, pro-terrorist demonstrations have erupted across America, many in major universities.

• A student was stabbed in the eye with a Palestinian flag at Yale.
• A synagogue was burned in Ponoma, New York.

Columbia announced that its Monday classes would be online because of the protests and the Jewish Passover.

The warning: In light of the protests, Buechler warned:

What we are witnessing in and around campus is terrible and tragic. The events of the last few days, especially last night, have made it clear that Columbia University’s Public Safety and the [New York Police Department] cannot guarantee Jewish students’ safety in the face of extreme anti-Semitism and anarchy.

It deeply pains me to say that I would strongly recommend you return home as soon as possible and remain home until the reality in and around campus has dramatically improved.

It is not our job as Jews to ensure our own safety on campus. No one should have to endure this level of hatred, let alone at school.

Is this racial equity? A strong element in America’s political left claims to hate racism but openly hates Jews. Even the daughter of United States Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, Isra Hirsi, took part in these protests.

Why is there such disdain for Jews in particular? The Bible reveals the cause of anti-Semitism and prophesies its rise in modern times.

Learn more: Read “The One Minority Society Loves to Hate.”