Days after drawing a red line for anti-Israeli students who pitched their tents in the heart of campus, Columbia University says talks to dismantle anti-Israel encampment are still ongoing.
Columbia University President Nemat “Minouche” Shafik said no agreement had been reached between school officials and the protesting students. She also lamented that non-protesting students were forced to leave campus for security reasons.
“The University’s objective during the discussions was to collaborative resolution with the demonstrators, which would result in the orderly removal of the encampment from the lawn. Students were also asked to commit to following university rules, including those regarding the time, location and manner of protests and events,” Shafik said in a statement Monday.
She added, “To that end, since Wednesday, a small group of University leaders engaged in constructive dialogue with student organizers to find a path forward that would result in dismantling the encampment and respecting University policies going forward.” . unable to reach an agreement. »
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Colombian officials failed to negotiate an end to the encampment, advocating financial disclosure and divestment from all Israel-linked businesses and calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. (Protesters at George Washington University)
Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-NY, responded to Columbia’s statement, brushing off its “abject failure of university leadership.”
“This is an absolute disgrace and an abject failure of university leadership,” Stefanik said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “It is telling that in this entire statement, there is not a single condemnation of the vile anti-Semitism that is rampant in the illegal encampment. There is not a single mention of protecting Jewish students from anti-Semitism that rages in Columbia.”
“As these so-called ‘elite’ universities fail on the global stage, it is more important than ever that Congress hold them accountable,” the lawmaker added.
The anti-Israeli demonstration in New York, which become the epicenter Similar protests at elite colleges and universities across the United States have continued since April 18.
The following Tuesday, April 23, the university informed the agitators of a midnight deadline to reach an agreement to leave the encampment, pack up their tents and return home. Hours later, the university announced it would give students an additional 48 hours to negotiate. That deadline has also passed, but the university said there has been “progress” in negotiations.
A sign is seen at Columbia University near a protest encampment on the main campus where students are demonstrating against Israel, at war with the Hamas terrorist group, in New York, April 27, 2024. (Reuters/Caitlin Ochs)
Students participate in a protest encampment on the campus of Columbia University. The university called on students to disperse voluntarily. (Reuters/David Dee Delgado)
As the protest nears its two-week goal, President Shafik said in a statement Monday that the university remains committed to negotiating and ensuring the safety of everyone involved.
“Dear members of the Colombian community, our university is committed to four fundamental principles that underpin all of our work and our shared values as a community: First, we must keep all members of our physically safe community on campus,” the president said.
He continues: “Second, we are committed to academic freedom and ensuring that all members of our community have the right to express their opinions. Third, just as everyone at Columbia has the right to express their views, they must also respect rights. Accordingly, protests must adhere to time, place and manner restrictions that, for example, prevent noisy protests at night when other students are trying to sleep or prepare for exams. opinions cannot come at the expense of another group’s right to speak, teach and learn. »
And: “Fourth, our values – as well as our duties under civil rights laws – require us to condemn hatred and protect every member of our community from harassment and discrimination. Anti-Semitic comments and actions are unacceptable and calls for violence are simply abhorrent. “
The statement admitted that the actions of anti-Israel agitators sometimes gave rise to anti-Semitic behavior that left Jewish students in danger.
“The encampment created an unwelcoming environment for many of our Jewish students and faculty,” the president wrote clearly. “External actors have helped create a hostile environment in violation of Title VI, particularly around our gates, that is dangerous for everyone, including our neighbors. »
An anti-Israel rally takes place in front of the Lowe Library on the grounds of Columbia University on April 22, 2024 in New York. The president of Columbia University, Minouche Shafik, deplored in a press release published Monday April 29 that Jewish students did not feel safe at the school. (David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)
“I know that many of our Jewish students, as well as other students, have found the atmosphere intolerable in recent weeks,” Shafik said. “Many have left campus, and it is a tragedy. To these students and their families, I want to make it clear to you: You are an important part of the Columbia community. This is your campus, too. We are committed to giving back Columbia safe for everyone, and to make you feel welcomed and valued.
“We have worked hard to balance these principles,” she added.
Columbia University President Minouche Shafik is under pressure to resign from her post amid ongoing anti-Semitic protests. (Fox News Digital)
The president of Columbia University then provided some clarification on the negotiation process, including clarifying that the university would not end its financial support for Israel – a crucial demand of the protesters.
“Both parties in these discussions have presented strong, thoughtful offers and have worked in good faith to reach common ground. We thank them all for their diligent work, long hours and painstaking efforts and hope that they arrived at a different result,” Shafik said.
She added: “Even if the University does not want disengage from Israel, The University has proposed developing an expedited timeline for review of new student proposals by the Advisory Committee for Socially Responsible Investment, the body that reviews divestment issues. The University also proposed publishing a process for students to access a list of Columbia’s direct investments and increasing the frequency of updates to this list of securities.
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“In addition, the University proposed to convene a university committee to address the issue of academic freedom and to begin a discussion on access and financial barriers to academic programs and global centers. The University also proposed to invest in health and education in Gaza, including supporting early childhood development and support for displaced scholars. Important ideas have emerged from this dialogue, and we plan to consider continuing them in the future. , declared the president.
Anti-Israel students gathered outside Columbia University on April 23, 2024, in New York. Columbia University President Minouche Shafik continues to call on students to protest peacefully, in accordance with university rules. (Jeenah Moon/Getty Images)
Anti-Israel protesters erected tents in the heart of campus, forming an encampment in defiance of the university’s calls to disperse. (Pierre Gerber)
Moving forward, the university said it wants to balance students’ right to peacefully protest with the desire of other students who have earned their right to graduate, to be able to do so.
“We have no intention of suppressing speech or the right to peaceful protest,” Shafik said. “We also don’t want to deprive thousands of students, and their families and friends, of a graduation celebration.”
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She concluded: “For all the reasons above, we urge those in the camp to voluntarily disperse. We are consulting with a broader group of our community to explore alternative internal options to end this crisis as quickly as possible. We will continue to update the community with new developments.
This statement comes after more than 100 people were arrested in Columbia University and cited for trespassing. Hundreds of students staged similar protests at their schools across the country. They later faced similar criminal consequences.
The anti-Israel camp was first formed on April 18.
