In the open letter to the Ivy League university’s donors, House Republicans, under the leadership of Rep. Eric Burlison (R-Mo.), urged donors of Columbia University to rethink their support.
The lawmakers called for donors to denounce the anti-Semitic incidents taking place on the university’s campus that have led to attacks on Jewish students, and a move to remote classes while the protests continue.
In protest of Columbia’s investments in companies with connections to Israel, students have occupied the Upper Manhattan campus for several days, setting up camps and conducting demonstrations.
Dozens were arrested at New York University over the pro-Palestinian protests, and police clashed with protesters at Ohio State University over similar demonstrations. The University of Southern California canceled its main graduation ceremony on April 24 due to the protests, and the University of Texas at Auston Campus saw 55 arrests of protesters the day after, on April 25.
The demonstrations are part of a broad progressive backlash against Israel’s response to the terror attacks against the Jewish state by Hamas on Oct. 7.
Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) went to Columbia University on April 22 with a group of Jewish Democrats to announce he and others were “standing” at the university “as Jewish members of Congress to make one thing clear, Jewish students are welcome here at Columbia.”
The lawmakers pushed for donors who are against the anti-Semitic activities to withdraw support until there are clear changes in leadership, including Columbia University President Minouche Shafik’s resignation.
“As Members of Congress, we urge donors and individuals affiliated with Columbia University to condemn the antisemitic incidents occurring on the university’s campus by pulling donations and support for the university until there are demonstrable changes in leadership, including the resignation of Columbia University President Minouche Shafik,” Mr. Burlison wrote in an open letter to the Ivy League’s alumni and donor network.
In their open letter, the House members urged donors to follow the example of Robert Kraft, the billionaire owner of the New England Patriots, who withdrew his support earlier this week in response to the demonstrations: “We encourage all supporters of the university to do the same and call for the resignation of President [Minouche] Shafik,” they wrote.
Mr. Burlison was joined by a number of other lawmakers, including Reps. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.), Brandon Williams (R-N.Y.), Josh Brecheen (R-Okla.), Russell Fry (R-S.C.), Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.), Ronny L. Jackson (R-Texas), Bob Good (R-Va.), and others.
“We’re standing here at one of America’s preeminent academic institutions, where the cherished traditions of this university are being overtaken by radical and extreme ideologies,” Mr. Johnson said.
He highlighted the Hamas endorsement of campus protesters as evidence of a troubling trend among students of support for terrorist organizations like Hamas.
“The madness has to stop,” Mr. Johnson said, his voice rising above the murmurs of dissent in the crowd. “We cannot allow such hatred and anti-Semitism to flourish on our campuses.”
When questioned about what his message was to the students in the encampments, Mr. Johnson said: “Go back to class. ... Stop wasting your parents’ money.”
