Days after drawing a red line for anti-Israel students who set up tents in the middle of campus, Columbia University Says talks are still ongoing to dismantle the anti-Israel camp.
Columbia University President Nemat “Minouche” Shafiq said no agreement had been reached between school officials and the protesting students. He also regretted that non-protesting students were forced to leave the campus amid security concerns.
“The university’s goal for the talks was collaborative resolution with the protesters, which will result in systematic removal of encroachments from the lawns. “Students were also asked to commit to following university rules, including the time, place and manner for demonstrations and events,” Shafiq said in a statement on Monday.
He added: “Since Wednesday, a small group of academic leaders have been engaging in constructive dialogue with student organizers to find a way forward that results in the camp being dismantled and adhering to university policies going forward. Regretfully. The point is that we were not able to reach any agreement.”
Trump says 4 words about anti-Israel protests on college campuses as arrests rise
Colombian officials have failed to negotiate a halt to the conflict, advocating for financial disclosure and divestment from all companies linked to Israel and calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. (Protesters at George Washington University)
Representative Elise Stefanik, R-NY, responded to Columbia’s statement, calling it a “gross failure of university leadership.”
“This is completely outrageous and an abject failure of university leadership,” Stefanik said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “It is telling that throughout this statement there is not a single condemnation of the disgusting anti-Semitism prevalent in the illegal occupation. There is not a single mention of protecting Jewish students at Columbia from rampant anti-Semitism.”
“As these so-called ‘elite’ universities fail on the global stage, it is more important than ever that Congress hold them accountable,” the lawmaker said.
Anti-Israel protest in New York City, which took place become the epicenter Similar protests have been ongoing since April 18 at elite colleges and universities across the US.
After Tuesday, April 23, the university informed the protesters of a midnight deadline to reach an agreement to leave the camp, pack their tents, and go home. A few hours later, the university said it would give students an additional 48 hours to negotiate. That deadline also came and went, but the university said “progress” has been made in negotiations.
A sign is seen near a protest camp on the main campus at Columbia University where students are protesting against Israel, which is at war with the terrorist group Hamas, on April 27, 2024 in New York City. (Reuters/Caitlin Ochs)
Students participating in a protest on the Columbia University campus. The university has called on students to voluntarily withdraw. (Reuters/David de Delgado)
As the protest nears its two-week milestone, President Shafiq said in Monday’s statement that the university is still committed to dialogue and ensuring the safety of everyone involved.
“Dear fellow members of the Columbia community, our university is committed to four core principles that underpin all of our work as a community and our shared values: First, we must hold all our members together community physically safe On campus,” the President said.
Virginia Tech police physically remove anti-Israel protesters amid effort to restore peace on campus
It continued: “Second, we are committed to academic freedom and to ensuring that all members of our community have the right to speak their minds. Third, like everyone at Columbia has the right to express their views. As a result, protests must follow time, place and manner restrictions, for example, at night when other students are trying to sleep or a group preparing for an exam. The rights of a group to express their views 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 – compel us to condemn hate and protect every member of our community from harassment and discrimination. Anti-Semitic language and actions are unacceptable and violence The calls are absolutely disgusting.”
The statement acknowledged that the actions of anti-Israel protesters, sometimes including anti-Semitic behavior, make Jewish students feel unsafe.
The president bluntly wrote, “The cantonment has created an unpleasant environment for many of our Jewish students and teachers.” “External actors have contributed to creating a hostile environment in violation of Title VI, particularly around our doors, that is unsafe for everyone, including our neighbors.”
An anti-Israel rally is held on the steps of the Lowe Library on the grounds of Columbia University on April 22, 2024 in New York City. Columbia University President Minouche Shafik expressed regret in a statement on Monday, April 29, that Jewish students feel unsafe at the school. (David de Delgado/Getty Images)
“I know that many of our Jewish students, and other students as well, have found the atmosphere in recent weeks unbearable,” Shafiq said. “Too many people have left campus, and it is a tragedy. To those students and their families, I want to tell you clearly: You are a valued part of the Columbia community. This is your campus, too. We love Columbia. We are committed to making it safe for everyone, and to making sure you feel welcome and valued.”
“We have worked hard to balance these principles,” he said.
Columbia University President Minouche Shafik is under pressure to resign from his post amid ongoing anti-Semitism protests. (Fox News Digital)
The president of Columbia University then provided some clarity about the negotiation process, including that the university would not end its financial support for Israel—a key request of the protesters.
Shafiq said, “In these discussions, both sides made strong and thoughtful proposals and worked in good faith to reach common ground. We thank them all for their diligent work, long hours and careful efforts and wish Let’s say they come to a different conclusion.”
He further added, “Whereas the University will not Separation from Israel, The university offered to develop an accelerated timeline for the students’ new proposals to be reviewed by the Advisory Committee for Socially Responsible Investment, a body that considers divestment cases. The university also offered to publish a process for students to access a list of Columbia’s direct investment holdings and to increase the frequency of updates to that list of holdings.
Anti-Israel protesters at Columbia University: 5 dramatic moments from a week of chaos
“Additionally, the University offered to convene a faculty committee to address academic freedom and begin discussing financial barriers to access and access to academic programs and global centers. The University offered to contribute to health and education in Gaza, including supporting early childhood “We also offered to invest in development and support for displaced scholars. Important ideas emerged from this conversation and we plan to take them forward in the future.”
Anti-Israel students rally outside Columbia University on April 23, 2024 in New York City. Columbia University President Minouche Shafiq continues to call on students to conduct peaceful protests in accordance with university rules. (Gina Moon/Getty Images)
Anti-Israel protesters have pitched tents in the middle of campus, defying calls by the university to disperse. (Peter Gerber)
Moving forward, the university said it wants to balance students’ right to peacefully protest with the desire of other students, who have earned the right to graduate, to be able to do the same.
“We have no intention of suppressing the right to speech or peaceful protest,” Shafiq said. “We do not want to deprive thousands of students and their families and friends of a graduation ceremony.”
Click here to get the Fox News app
They concluded: “For all the above reasons, we urge those present in the camp to voluntarily disperse. We call on a committee of our community to explore alternative internal options to end this crisis as soon as possible.” “We will continue to update the community with new developments.”
This statement comes after the arrest of more than 100 people Columbia University And encroachment was cited. Hundreds of students across the country have held similar protests in their schools. He later faced similar criminal consequences.
The anti-Israel camp was first formed on April 18.
