A CNN panel heated up Tuesday morning over anti-Israel protests at college campuses as conservative commentator Jonah Goldberg clashed with a fellow guest.
New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers cleared out clusters of pro-Palestine protest encampments at Columbia University on Thursday; however, the demonstration reconvened and continued days later. CNN panelists Goldberg and Lulu Garcia-Navarro debated the protests on “CNN This Morning.”
“I think the antisemitism stuff, particularly Passover, is a big issue, legitimate issue to talk about,” Goldberg said. “It’s a serious issue, and I think there’s a lot of antisemitic stuff going on out there. But when you’re saying you’re Hamas, you’re praising Hamas, you’re praising Hezbollah, um, when you’re saying you’re gonna globalize the intifada —”
“Excuse me, I’m so sorry. I’m, uh, no, I’m sorry, there —” Garcia-Navarro interrupted.
“Let me finish my point,” Goldberg replied. “It means you’re pro-terrorist.”
“I am not disputing that,” Garcia-Navarro said. “What I am saying, yeah, but what I’m saying… they are selective, um, quotes that are being taken off and not from students themselves in the encampments in Columbia that they have said this. There are Jewish students who are actually part of this. Um, and they are being used to —” Garcia-Navarro continued as Goldberg began to shake his head. “Wait, let me just —”
“You didn’t let me finish my point. But, but, go ahead,” Goldberg said.
“No, that’s true. And, and I just would say more broadly. People are calling for action like Representative Gottheimer. What are they actually calling for?” Garcia-Navarro asked. “You already had police go on —”
“Well, hold on,” CNN host Kasie Hunt interjected. “If there are, if the people in those encampments — whether they’re the Columbia students or not — if the university can clear them from that encampment, then that is something the university can do.”
Garcia-Navarro told Goldberg that the evocation of NYPD officers was a “catalyst” of the ongoing demonstrations. She said that pro-Palestine protesters already feel “oppressed” and suggested that they were “inspired” by the Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests following the death of George Floyd in 2020. (RELATED: ‘Canary In The Coal Mine’: CNN Host Slams ‘Dangerous’ Anti-Israel Protests On College Campus)
“I question the wisdom of having a double standard that says it’s okay to shout hateful terror, pro-terrorist things at Jews, but you can’t, you have to have total —”
“No one is endorsing that,” Garcia-Navarro cut in.
“A lot of people are endorsing that,” Goldberg said. “A lot of people are condemning it.”
“No one here,” Garcia-Navarro said.
“Yeah, a lot of people aren’t condemning it,” Goldberg said. “And I, look, I agree with you. Universities and the Democratic Party and the left have a huge problem trying to figure out how to cut this Gordian Knot that they’ve created for themselves. But that doesn’t mean I have to sort of condone or not call out — I’ve spent, I got a lot of scars from calling out horrible standbys on the right over the last ten years. I call out antisemitism and bigotry all the time on the right. I don’t hear a lot of that from sort of Squad-adjacent type people calling out this stuff on the left.”
Ivy League universities such as Columbia (pictured above), Harvard, Rutgers, UPenn, and MIT are places where anti-Semitism has not only found a foothold but has also been allowed to flourish, often unchecked. Credit: YouTube.com
(TJV NEWS) Columbia University has shifted its main campus classes to remote instruction for the remainder of the semester, citing ongoing disruptions caused by what critics describe as “anti-Israel protesters.” The decision comes amid growing concerns over the impact of these demonstrations on campus activities, NY Post reported.
Provost Angela Olinto conveyed the decision to students and faculty, acknowledging the challenges posed by the presence of an encampment protesting Israel’s policies. While classes will continue in a hybrid format, those unable to facilitate such instruction are encouraged to opt for fully remote alternatives.
Criticism of the university’s handling of the situation has been swift. Former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer lambasted what he sees as the university’s capitulation to the protesters, asserting that they have effectively paralyzed the institution. Others have echoed this sentiment, calling for stronger action against disruptive behavior.
The safety of students remains paramount, with concerns raised about the impact of the protests on the campus community. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee has even suggested that affected parents seek refunds for their tuition fees, citing breaches of contract.
Meanwhile, tensions have escalated as Jewish alumni demand accountability from university leadership for failing to ensure the safety of Jewish students on campus. The university has faced accusations of negligence and insufficient action to address the situation.
In response to the escalating situation, security measures on campus have been reinforced, reflecting the seriousness of the issue. However, the university’s efforts to contain the unrest have faced criticism from various quarters, with concerns about the adequacy of measures taken.
The protests at Columbia have not occurred in isolation, sparking similar actions at other universities and drawing attention from public figures and officials. New York Governor Kathy Hochul has condemned the harassment and rhetoric associated with the protests, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the safety of all students.
Furthermore, the unrest has led to significant repercussions, including the withdrawal of donations from prominent benefactors like Robert Kraft, underscoring the broader impact of the protests beyond the confines of the university campus
Rabbi Elie Buechler expressed deep concern over the safety of Jewish students at Columbia U in light of heightened anti-Semitism. Credit: columbiabarnardhillel.org
Edited by: Fern Sidman
Columbia University has become the epicenter of escalating tensions due to recent anti-Israel protests that have spiraled into anti-Semitic incidents. The situation has grown so severe that a prominent rabbi at the university has issued a stark warning to Jewish students, advising them to leave campus for their safety, according to a report that appeared on Sunday in the New York Post.
Rabbi Elie Buechler, responding to the increasing hostilities, communicated directly with students via WhatsApp early Sunday. According to the information in the Post report, he expressed deep concern over their safety in light of the events, particularly following a night marked by virulent protests. One protester notably escalated the rhetoric by displaying a sign that ominously suggested that students displaying Israeli flags could be potential targets for Hamas, a recognized terrorist organization, the Post report added. The Rabbi stressed that the university’s Public Safety and the NYPD were unable to guarantee the safety of Jewish students under the current circumstances.
In response to the growing threat, Columbia University has offered Jewish students the option to continue their studies online. This move sheds a spotlight on the severity of the situation and the institution’s recognition of the dangers posed by the ongoing protests and their virulently anti-Semitic undertones.
The matter has caught the attention of higher authorities, including New York City’s Mayor Eric Adams, who expressed his horror and disgust at the anti-Semitic sentiments circulating around the Columbia campus. On a social platform, Adams strongly condemned the hatred and reaffirmed the city’s intolerance towards such discrimination. The Post report said that he has directed the NYPD to take stringent actions against those violating laws, emphasizing that hate has no place in New York City.
In response to the unrest, Columbia University issued new guidelines aimed at protecting its students. The university announced that all schools and programs should offer remote learning options and, where possible, remote assessments, as was noted in the Post report. This measure is specifically designed to accommodate students who seek academic adjustments due to the ongoing campus activities, whether for religious reasons or other approved accommodations related to disabilities.
Jewish students gathered on campus to protest against anti-Semitism, waving Israeli flags and singing “One Day,” a peace anthem by Matisyahu. However, their peaceful protest was met with aggressive hate speech and threats of violence. The report in the Post said that according to a witness from Barnard College, a student intruded the rally wearing a keffiyeh and displaying a sign that ominously linked the protesters to potential targets of Hamas’s military wing, Al Kassam. This sign, captured in a video and posted on social media, pointed directly at the Jewish students, explicitly threatening them.
Also on Sunday, the Post reported that the campus of the New School in Manhattan became the latest site for escalating Middle East-related protests. Following closely in the footsteps of Columbia University, students at the New School have initiated a “Liberty Zone” encampment within the university’s Union Square campus. This new development is part of a broader wave of protests.
The New School’s University Center lobby on West 12th Street was swiftly transformed as around 20 students erected tents and displayed signs advocating for Palestinian solidarity. The group, known as New School Students for Justice in Palestine, utilized Instagram to rally support and call for immediate action.
Photo Governor Kathy Hochul is expected to sign the budget, which also includes adjustments to the Tier 6 pension system for public employees. Credit: AP
By: Rob Otto
Albany legislators approved a record-breaking $237 billion state budget on Saturday, encompassing various measures, including an extension of Mayor Eric Adams’ oversight of New York City schools. This extension, lasting for two years, is accompanied by certain conditions for Mayor Adams. He must demonstrate that any additional state funds allocated for education are specifically utilized for city schools and not diverted elsewhere within the budget, NY Post reported.
State Senator John Liu, who leads on New York City schools in the upper chamber, emphasized the importance of mayoral accountability in education. He highlighted the necessity for a funded and actionable plan aimed at reducing class sizes over the next two years.
The budget also encompasses a comprehensive housing package designed to stimulate the construction of numerous new housing units. The goal is to alleviate rental costs and safeguard tenants from exploitative landlords. Additionally, measures are included to combat illegal cannabis dispensaries and retail theft.
Mayor Adams expressed satisfaction with the budget deal, asserting that all of his administration’s legislative priorities were successfully included. The United Federation of Teachers, representing many educators in New York City, advocated for greater accountability in education to ensure compliance with state laws regarding class sizes.
Furthermore, the budget introduces a 24th member to the Panel for Educational Policy, who will serve as its chairperson. The mayor will select the chair from three candidates nominated by the state Assembly, state Senate, and state schools chancellor.
Initially deemed improbable, the proposal to extend mayoral control of schools was revived shortly before the budget’s passage, indicating a last-minute change of heart among lawmakers. The aim is to imbue the Panel for Educational Policy with more autonomy and effectiveness.
Governor Kathy Hochul is expected to sign the budget, which also includes adjustments to the Tier 6 pension system for public employees. Under the new provisions, pension benefits will be calculated based on the average of the last three years of service, rather than the last five. Critics argue that this change will impose significant financial burdens on taxpayers over the coming decades.
Ken Girardin, Research Director at the Empire Center for Public Policy, expressed concern over the potential long-term costs associated with the pension system adjustments, cautioning against the financial strain it may impose on taxpayers.
Despite initial skepticism from lawmakers, the inclusion of measures such as the extension of mayoral control and adjustments to the pension system underscores the complexity and significance of the state budget. Governor Hochul’s imminent approval is anticipated, solidifying the implementation of these provisions in the coming fiscal year.
In addition to these measures, the budget also addresses concerns surrounding public employee pensions, introducing alterations to the Tier 6 system. Critics fear that these adjustments may burden taxpayers with substantial costs in the future, potentially exceeding $100 billion for New York State. Despite reservations from some lawmakers, the budget’s passage signifies a significant milestone in New York’s fiscal policy landscape.
Archie Gottesman, renowned for her sharp-witted billboard campaigns for Manhattan Mini Storage, is channeling her advertising prowess into a cause that hits close to home—combating the rise in anti-Semitism. According to a report on Friday in The New York Post, the 60-year-old Manhattanite, famed for her sardonic slogans that have long colored the New York skyline, is now the creative force behind the JewBelong campaign’s bold and controversial billboards that have sparked both support and backlash across the nation.
Gottesman, a mother of three, gained notoriety through her work at Manhattan Mini Storage, where her clever and often cheeky taglines captured the city’s imagination. However, the Post report indicated that recent global events, including the significant uptick in anti-Semitic incidents following the Hamas led October 7th attacks, have steered her professional skills in a new direction. Disturbed by the increasing animosity toward Jews worldwide, Gottesman felt compelled to use her advertising acumen for advocacy, the report added.
The JewBelong campaign has been marked by its audacious approach to addressing hate. With approximately 500 billboards planted across the country, the campaign employs provocative slogans such as “Oh, don’t be naive. Hamas would chop your head off too,” aiming to jolt passersby into awareness and action, according to the information provided in the Post report. These billboards have not been without controversy, drawing criticism and acts of vandalism, yet Gottesman remains steadfast, undeterred by the hostility her work has attracted.
Gottesman’s transition from promoting storage solutions to advocating for what she calls “joyous Judaism” is a testament to her belief in the power of outdoor advertising to influence public opinion and spark dialogue. “I know my way around a billboard and I know that outdoor advertising works,” Gottesman told the Post, emphasizing that the skills required to sell commercial space are akin to those needed to promote cultural and social awareness.
The impact of the JewBelong billboards is palpable, as they bring the issues of anti-Semitism into the open, confronting societal prejudices head-on. However, Gottesman is no stranger to the vitriol that her campaign has ignited. “I’m surprised by the vitriol and anger – it’s insane seeing how much hate there is out there,” she confessed to the Post.
Across the United States, from Louisville, Kentucky, to Berkeley, California, JewBelong’s billboards have sparked significant backlash, including acts of vandalism.
Since its inception in 2017, JewBelong’s billboards have been installed in strategically diverse locations to maximize their impact, aiming to promote awareness and provoke thought about anti-Semitism and its contemporary implications, as was noted in the Post report. Unfortunately, some of these billboards have been targets of anti-Israel vandalism, a testament to the contentious nature of their messages. For instance, a billboard in Louisville stating, “Let’s be clear: Hamas is your problem too,” was defaced, a clear indicator of how heated the public discourse can become around such issues.
The situation was similar in Washington D.C., where a sign posited, “Can a billboard end anti-Semitism? No. But you’re not a billboard,” only to be vandalized. Perhaps more disturbingly, in Berkeley, a billboard that read, “We’re just 78 years since the gas chambers. So no, a billboard calling out Jew hate is not an overreaction,” was sprayed over with graffiti supporting Hamas, showcasing the stark and troubling opposition that such messages can evoke, as was detailed in the Post report.
Zero Bond, a well-known hotspot in Manhattan’s Noho neighborhood has garnered attention for its celebrity patrons such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Kim Kardashian, Elon Musk, Tom Brady, and Taylor Swift. Photo: Courtesy of Zero Bond
The usually tranquil Hamptons, a coveted seaside escape known for its quiet charm, is currently at the center of a contentious debate involving residents and a proposed expansion by Zero Bond, a prestigious, members-only club from Manhattan, as was reported on Friday in The New York Post. The club, frequented by notable celebrities and figures including Mayor Eric Adams, is exploring the possibility of opening a new venue at the historic Hedges Inn in East Hampton, sparking concerns among local residents about the potential disruption to their peaceful community.
Zero Bond, a well-known hotspot in Manhattan’s Noho neighborhood, has garnered attention for its celebrity patrons such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Kim Kardashian, Elon Musk, Tom Brady, and Taylor Swift, according to the information provided in the Post report. The club’s management is in discussions with the owner of the Hedges Inn—a quaint and centuries-old bed and breakfast located by a picturesque pond—to lease the property. Although no formal agreement has been finalized, the talks alone have been enough to alarm residents about the future of their neighborhood.
The primary concerns expressed by the residents center around the potential for increased noise, traffic, and general disruption that a nightlife-oriented venue like Zero Bond could bring to their quiet community. As per the Post report, residents fear that the establishment of such a club could lead to a constant flow of idling vehicles, including Ubers and other ride-sharing services, along with the associated noise from car doors and diners. Furthermore, the presence of paparazzi trying to catch a glimpse of celebrity guests could significantly alter the character of the area.
East Hampton Mayor Jerry Larsen has vocally criticized the proposed plan, labeling it as a move driven by greed and suggesting that the owner of the Hedges Inn should reconsider the impact on the community, the Post report noted. His sentiments are echoed by many in East Hampton, who feel that such a development would be out of step with the village’s historical and cultural ethos.
In response to these concerns, the village is considering legislation that would prevent the operation of a social club serving food and drinks within the historic zone from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m, as was pointed out in the Post report. This legislative effort is seen as a crucial step in safeguarding the nighttime tranquility and heritage of the area.
However, this has sparked a legal debate about the extent of municipal powers over businesses that sell alcohol. The Post report said that a representative for Zero Bond argued that the proposed restrictions might be overly broad and unconstitutional, suggesting that the town might not have the authority to enforce early closing times on establishments like bars and restaurants.
The East Hampton Village Civic Coalition has been particularly active in rallying the community to oppose the club’s opening. They have utilized social media platforms, such as Facebook, to organize and inform residents. Indicated in the Post report was that the group has emphasized the importance of community engagement, urging residents to attend a hearing about the proposed legislation, calling attention to the hearing as a critical opportunity to influence the decision and preserve the integrity of the village.
The opposition from local residents is multifaceted, touching on issues of exclusivity, accessibility, and the preservation of the community’s character.
At trial in 2001, prosecutors argued Rabbi Fred Neulander wanted to get rid of wife Carol to continue his two-year affair with Philadelphia radio host Elaine Soncini. Credit: AP
By: Hal C Clarke
Fred Neulander, aged 82, was discovered unresponsive in the New Jersey State Prison in Trenton and later pronounced dead at Capital Health Regional Medical Center.
Neulander, the founder of Congregation M’kor Shalom Reform Jewish synagogue in Cherry Hill, was involved in a notorious murder case from three decades ago, NY POST reported.
His wife, Carol Neulander, co-founder of the popular bakery Classic Cakes, was found bludgeoned to death in their home in 1994. Initially staged as a botched robbery, the investigation later revealed Neulander’s involvement in orchestrating her murder.
The motive? Neulander sought to continue his extramarital affair with Philadelphia radio personality Elaine Soncini. He allegedly paid hitmen $30,000 to carry out the crime, fearing divorce would tarnish his reputation within the community.
During trial proceedings, witnesses, including Soncini and Neulander’s own children, testified against him, corroborating his involvement in Carol’s murder. Despite a hung jury in the first trial, Neulander was eventually convicted and sentenced to 30 years to life in prison.
The case garnered significant media attention, leading to adaptations in books, documentaries, and even a musical. While Neulander’s accomplices were released from prison in 2014, his conviction stood firm, with an unsuccessful attempt to overturn it in 2016.
Reflecting on Neulander’s legacy, Rabbi Jannifer Frenkel of Congregation Kol Ami, the successor of M’kor Shalom, emphasized the congregation’s focus on the future, distancing themselves from Neulander’s actions and values.
Fred Neulander’s death marks the end of a chapter in a tale of betrayal and tragedy that shook the Cherry Hill community and reverberated throughout the nation. His demise in prison raises questions about justice, redemption, and the enduring impact of his crimes on those he left behind.
Born in 1939, Neulander grew to become a prominent figure in the Jewish community, founding Congregation M’kor Shalom in 1974. His involvement in various charitable and religious endeavors earned him respect and admiration among his peers. However, beneath the veneer of piety lay a darker reality of deceit and moral bankruptcy.
The murder of Carol Neulander sent shockwaves through Cherry Hill and beyond. The carefully orchestrated plot to eliminate his wife, fueled by lust and greed, shattered the illusion of marital bliss and exposed the depths of human depravity. Neulander’s callous disregard for human life and the sanctity of marriage appalled all who followed the case.
Despite attempts to portray himself as a pillar of the community, Neulander’s true nature was laid bare during the trial. Testimony from witnesses painted a damning picture of a man consumed by his desires, willing to resort to murder to satisfy them. The revelation of his affair with Elaine Soncini further tarnished his reputation and left a stain on his legacy that would never fade.
In the years following his conviction, Neulander languished in prison, his once-influential voice silenced by the walls of his cell. While justice was served for Carol Neulander and her family, the scars left by her untimely death would never fully heal. As Fred Neulander takes his final breath, his passing serves as a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the consequences of succumbing to temptation.
City Schools Chancellor David Banks has issued a stern reprimand directed at the Bklyn Parent Council for ineffectively conducting its business. Credir: Wikipedia.org
By: Rob Otto
In a recent development, City Schools Chancellor David Banks has issued a stern reprimand directed at the Brooklyn Parent Council for what he deems as a failure in effectively conducting its business. The controversy centers around the promotion of a citywide student walkout organized to protest the Israel-Hamas conflict, according to exclusive information obtained by NY The Post.
Chancellor Banks directly accused Tajh Sutton, President of Community Education Council 14, of violating multiple state laws, including one that could potentially result in her permanent removal from serving on any citywide board. In a scathing three-page letter addressed to Sutton, Banks criticized the council’s leadership under her direction, alleging selective representation of the district’s parent community and obstruction of attendance and participation at meetings.
The council, notably, has faced criticism for allegedly blocking Jewish parents from its meetings and social media platforms. A particular incident of concern revolves around the support provided by Sutton to James Parra, a paraprofessional at Brooklyn Arbor Elementary School. Parra’s vocal pro-Palestine, Hamas loving views sparked controversy, with his social media posts labeling Israel as a “racist” and “terrorist” state, alongside derogatory remarks about Zionism.
Banks condemned Sutton’s actions as “highly inappropriate” and lacking relevance to the duties of the Community Education Council. During a virtual meeting of CEC 14, despite orders to hold in-person sessions in compliance with state law, Parra directed a tirade towards District 14 Superintendent David Cintron, branding him a “spineless coward” and concluding with a profanity-laden declaration of solidarity with Palestine.
In response, Sutton expressed support for Parra, further escalating tensions within the council. Adding to the controversy, Sutton faced a notice of guilt for violating Chancellor’s Regulation D-210, which prohibits harassment and discrimination, due to her advocacy for a pro-Palestine student walkout in November. She now has the opportunity to participate in a conciliation process before any final action is taken.
In another development, Maud Maron, a member of the Community Education Council in District 2, found herself entangled in controversy this week. Maron was issued a notice for violating Chancellor’s Regulation D-210, which prohibits harassment and discrimination, after her comments to The Post regarding an anonymous student editorial in Stuyvesant High School’s newspaper. The editorial had sparked criticism for its perceived antisemitic content.
Maron’s remark, suggesting the byline should read “coward” instead of “anonymous” and condemning the editorial for what she termed “ignorance and Jew hatred,” led to the directive for her to refrain from making derogatory or offensive remarks about any New York City public school student.
The situation with Maron is compounded by another pending complaint, alleging disparaging remarks about the LGBTQ community made in a private chat group. Maron’s purported comments denying the existence of transgender children and dismissing the concept of transitioning have stirred outrage, prompting scrutiny of her conduct both within and outside of official council duties.
Despite facing censure, Maron remains steadfast in her convictions, asserting her right to express opinions in both private and public forums without fear of reprisal from the Department of Education. These incidents highlight the ongoing tensions surrounding respectful dialogue within educational leadership circles.
NYC is set to welcome a new architectural marvel into its iconic skyline—a multi-billion-dollar office tower at 350 Park Avenue. Credit: Foster + Partners
New York City is set to welcome a new architectural marvel into its iconic skyline—a multi-billion-dollar office tower at 350 Park Avenue, a project that promises to reshape the urban landscape and bolster the city’s economic vitality, according to a recently published report on CNN. Announced by Mayor Eric Adams, this ambitious development is poised to add not only a stunning visual element to the cityscape but also significant commercial and public space.
The proposed tower will rise to 62 stories, integrating seamlessly with the celebrated profiles of the Chrysler Building, One World Trade Center, the Empire State Building, and the Flatiron Building. According to the information provided in the CNN report, unlike its famous predecessors, which feature Art Deco crowns, limestone, and granite facades, this new structure will be distinguished by its modern, all-glass façade, offering floor-to-ceiling windows that promise breathtaking views of the city.
The project, funded by Vornado Realty Trust, Kenneth Griffin—the founder and CEO of the global investment firm Citadel—and building and management company Rudin, is expected to generate more than 6,000 jobs, revitalizing the local job market, as per the CNN report. Furthermore, it will provide 1.8 million square feet of commercial office space, much of it destined to become the new home for Citadel and its market-making firm, Citadel Securities. This significant addition to New York’s commercial real estate market calls attention to the city’s ongoing appeal as a global business hub.
One of the standout features of the new tower at 350 Park Avenue will be its approach to public space. The design includes a grand public concourse at the building’s base, framed by striking white columns. This area will feature ample green space, seating, and art displays, transforming it into a vibrant communal area for residents and visitors alike, according to the CNN report. Above, landscaped terraces will crown each section of the building, adding a touch of greenery to the urban environment and enhancing the aesthetic and environmental quality of the midtown area.
In his announcement, Mayor Eric Adams lauded the project, emphasizing its potential to “supercharge our economy and expand New York City’s iconic skyline,” as was referenced in the report on CNN. The mayor’s vision for the tower extends beyond its architectural and economic benefits; it is seen as a cornerstone in the broader effort to energize Midtown Manhattan, reinforcing its status as a premier business address and an economic engine for the region.
The new tower, designed by Foster + Partners, is expected to bring a contemporary aesthetic to the city’s architectural landscape while harmonizing with the historical and cultural significance of its Midtown surroundings, the CNN report noted. The building’s design focuses on sustainability and modernity, aiming to set new standards in urban office space. Its strategic placement near major landmarks will further integrate it into the fabric of New York City’s rich architectural heritage.
The announcement of the new tower comes at a critical time for New York City, which is still grappling with the economic repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic. The city’s administration, including Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi, has expressed optimism that this project will mark a significant step in Midtown Manhattan’s recovery.
Throughout the exhibit, signs and videos recount the randomness that determined life or death on that fateful day. Credit: Instagram.
By: Mario Mancini
In the heart of downtown, a solemn yet poignant exhibit has emerged, a testament to tragedy and resilience. With a haunting display of battered shoes, recovered cell phones echoing frantic messages to loved ones, and immersive video installations capturing the confusion and terror of the day, the new downtown exhibit commemorating the Oct. 7 Nova music festival massacre invokes memories akin to the solemnity of the 9/11 Memorial and the somber reflection of Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust Museum.
“It’s not an exhibition about Nova. It is Nova — we want them to feel — to feel the journey, the light in their hearts before” the attack, Feingold emphasized, highlighting the essence of the experience.
. Co-founder Ofir Amir, still bearing the physical scars of the attack, expressed the exhibition’s purpose: to honor the 370 souls lost to the violence orchestrated by Hamas.
Thousands of artifacts, ranging from burnt-out cars to bullet-pierced port-o-potties, were painstakingly assembled to recreate the harrowing scenes of the attack. Each item serves as a poignant reminder of how moments of peace were shattered by the onslaught of rockets.
“This wasn’t a terror attack. This was something much bigger – it’s biblical,” Amir remarked, underscoring the magnitude of the tragedy and the ongoing struggle for survival.
Reut Feingold, the exhibit’s creator, director, and writer, sought to transport visitors back to the festival’s joyous atmosphere before the invasion. Survivor Natalie Sanandaji and Nova Foundation Chairman Reef Peretz stand in the exhibit’s “healing room,” where the words “we will dance again” offer a beacon of hope amidst the darkness.
“It’s not an exhibition about Nova. It is Nova — we want them to feel — to feel the journey, the light in their hearts before” the attack, Feingold emphasized, highlighting the essence of the experience.
Throughout the exhibit, signs and videos recount the randomness that determined life or death on that fateful day. The violence unleashed on the music festival is depicted with unflinching honesty, as one rescue volunteer recalled the gruesome discovery of bodies burned beyond recognition.
Visitors with shell-shocked expressions traverse the dimly lit 50,000-square-foot space, culminating in a luminous healing tent and lighthouse, symbolizing the resilience and the collective determination to overcome tragedy with the rallying cry, “We will dance again.”
Tickets, starting at $1, offer access to the exhibit, with options to contribute additional donations to support survivors and their families. In this space of remembrance and reflection, the Nova music festival lives on, not just as a tragic event but as a testament to the human spirit’s enduring strength in the face of adversity.
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has decided to cease donations to his alma mater, Columbia University, due to the violent pro-Hamas student protests on campus. Credit: Wikipedia
Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots and an alumnus of Columbia University, has expressed his decision to cease donations to his alma mater amid ongoing pro-Hamas protests on the university’s campus in New York City. This decision comes as the raucous demonstrations enter their sixth consecutive day.
Kraft, who graduated in 1963, conveyed his dismay over the clearly marked increase in hostility emanating from the pro-Hamas students on the Morningside Heights campus and across the nation. “I am deeply saddened at the virulent hate that continues to grow on campus and throughout our country,” he stated. He further expressed his concerns about the university’s ability to ensure the safety of its students and staff, prompting his withdrawal of financial support until the university takes corrective measures.
The situation at Columbia University has escalated with over 100 individuals arrested since the start of the protests, which are centered around the call for a cease-fire in Gaza and demands for the university to divest its investments in Israel. Some protesters have established tent encampments on the university grounds.
Jewish students have reported feeling unsafe, as chants from the protesters such as “Resistance is glorious” are replete with clear anti-Semitic overtones. In response to the growing tensions, Columbia’s president, Minouche Shafik, has transitioned classes to remote learning in an effort to de-escalate the situation. Despite these measures, Kraft has exhorted the university leadership to take a firmer stance against the hateful actions by demanding an end to the protests.
At one such protest that took place on Sunday, the pro-Hamas student protesters screamed anti-Semitic epithets at Jewish students, telling them to “Go Back to Poland,” In the last few days, other pro-Hamas student protesters have threatened Jewish students with a replication of the October 7th massacre in which 1200 Israelis and others were brutally slaughtered and 250 were taken hostage. Currently, 133 Israeli hostages remain in Hamas captivity in Gaza.
Kraft’s philanthropic contributions to Columbia have been substantial. He played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Kraft Center for Jewish Student Life in 2000 and also contributed to the naming of an athletic field after him in 2007, in recognition of his generous donations. These gestures illustrate his deep connection and gratitude to the institution that granted him a full academic scholarship, which significantly shaped his educational and professional journey.
Reflecting on his past experiences and the current climate at Columbia, Kraft remarked, “It was through the full academic scholarship Columbia gave me that I was able to attend college and get my start in life and for that, I have been tremendously grateful. However, the school I love so much—the one that welcomed me and provided me with so much opportunity—is no longer an institution I recognize.”
He expressed hope that the Kraft Center will continue to be a haven of security and safety for all Jewish students and faculty amidst these troubling times. However, his disappointment is palpable as he grapples with the changing landscape of his beloved alma mater,
This sentiment is echoed in similar movements across Massachusetts, where tent protests inspired by the events at Columbia have sprung up at such institutions of higher learning such Emerson College and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, signaling a broader unrest and concern within academic communities.
The Yale University campus in New Haven, Conn. Credit: f11photo/Shutterstock.
By: Aaron Sibarium
Pro-Palestinian protesters at Yale University this weekend occupied a World War II memorial, tore down an American flag that flew there, and sent a Jewish student to the hospital as administrators stood by and refused to break up the protest, which violated several university rules.
The protest on Beinecke Plaza—a quad in the center of campus dedicated to Yale students who fought in WWII—focused on the university’s investments in military contractors and included graduate students participating in a “hunger strike,” now in its second week.
The investments comprise a tiny share of Yale’s $40.7 billion endowment: The school holds just $21,000 worth of stock in military contractors.
Those minuscule holdings triggered an uprising on Friday as students occupied the plaza and camped out overnight, in violation of university policies. The students tore down an American flag flying at the memorial, according to the Yale Daily News, but were not ejected from the quad despite threats of disciplinary action from administrators.
The encampment continued throughout the weekend. By Saturday evening, a Jewish student had been injured by a flag-wielding protester with no end to the chaos in sight.
Yale police are waiting to take action, an officer told a Jewish student on Saturday, until the administration gives them the green light to disperse the protest, according to a recording of the phone call between the officer and the student reviewed by the Free Beacon. The university declined to say when, or whether, it would give that order.
The inaction comes as pro-Palestinian students—often with the support of faculty—have occupied school buildings and commandeered public spaces on campuses across the country. Tensions reached a new high this week after Columbia University arrested 100 students camped out in the middle of campus. The arrests attracted hundreds of additional protesters, both from Columbia and outside of it, who have told Jewish students to “go back to Poland” and called on Hamas to kill pro-Israel counter protesters.
At Yale, protesters erected an altar to Walid Daqqa— a Palestinian terrorist convicted for his role in the 1984 murder of an Israeli soldier—as well as tributes to Leila Kahled, the first Palestinian woman to hijack an airplane.
On Saturday afternoon, the crowd started chanting “smash the settler Zionist state,” according to footage obtained by the Washington Free Beacon. Later that evening, a Jewish student, Sahar Tartak, attempted to film the demonstrators—only for one of them to hit her in the face with a Palestinian flag, she wrote on X. Tartak was then surrounded by protesters and pinned against a wall, according to footage shared on X, formerly Twitter. She eventually made it to the hospital after a heated interaction with a protest marshal, who blocked her from pursuing the student who injured her, she said in a post.
A Yale University spokesman told the Free Beacon that university police were investigating the incident as a possible assault.
“The university does not tolerate violence, threats, harassment, or intimidation of members of our community,” Yale’s communications office said, “and is providing support to a student who made the report.”
At least a hundred students stayed put Saturday night after the university reiterated that they could face discipline if they did not vacate the plaza. So far, no arrests have been made.
Yale’s milquetoast response comes as other schools have taken a tougher line on disruptive protest in recent weeks.
TheTikTok building in Culver City, California. The House passed legislation that would ban TikTok in the US if its China-based owner doesn’t sell its stake. Credit: AP/Damian Dovarganes
By: Mary Clare Jalonick & Haleluya Hadero
The House passed legislation Saturday that would ban TikTok in the United States if the popular social media platform’s China-based owner doesn’t sell its stake within a year, but don’t expect the app to go away anytime soon.
The decision by House Republicans to include TikTok as part of a larger foreign aid package, a priority for President Joe Biden with broad congressional support for Ukraine and Israel, fast-tracked the ban after an earlier version had stalled in the Senate. A standalone bill with a shorter, six-month selling deadline passed the House in March by an overwhelming bipartisan vote as both Democrats and Republicans voiced national security concerns about the app’s owner, the Chinese technology firm ByteDance Ltd.
The modified measure, passed by a 360-58 vote, now goes to the Senate after negotiations that lengthened the timeline for the company to sell to nine months, with a possible additional three months if a sale is in progress.
Legal challenges could extend that timeline even further. The company has indicated that it would likely go to court to try and block the law if it passes, arguing it would deprive the app’s millions of users of their First Amendment rights.
TikTok has lobbied hard against the legislation, pushing the app’s 170 million U.S. users — many of whom are young — to call Congress and voice opposition. But the ferocity of the pushback angered lawmakers on Capitol Hill, where there is broad concern about Chinese threats to the U.S. and where few members use the platform themselves.
“We will not stop fighting and advocating for you,” TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew said in a video that was posted on the platform last month and directed toward the app’s users. “We will continue to do all we can, including exercising our legal rights, to protect this amazing platform that we have built with you.”
The bill’s quick path through Congress is extraordinary because it targets one company and because Congress has taken a hands-off approach to tech regulation for decades. Lawmakers had failed to act despite efforts to protect children online, safeguard users’ privacy and make companies more liable for content posted on their platforms, among other measures. But the TikTok ban reflects widespread concerns from lawmakers about China.
Members of both parties, along with intelligence officials, have worried that Chinese authorities could force ByteDance to hand over American user data or direct the company to suppress or boost TikTok content favorable to its interests. TikTok has denied assertions that it could be used as a tool of the Chinese government and has said it has not shared U.S. user data with Chinese authorities.
The U.S. government has not publicly provided evidence that shows TikTok shared U.S. user data with the Chinese government or tinkered with the company’s popular algorithm, which influences what Americans see.
The company has good reason to think a legal challenge could be successful, having seen some success in previous legal fights over its operations in the U.S.. In November, a federal judge blocked a Montana law that would ban TikTok use across the state after the company and five content creators who use the platform sued.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley speaks in London. London’s police commissioner will meet with senior members of the Jewish community on Monday. (James Manning/PA via AP, File)
By: Danica Kirka
London’s police commissioner will meet with senior members of the Jewish community on Monday after the force bungled its apology for suggesting an “openly Jewish’’ man’s presence along the route of a pro-Palestinian march risked provoking the demonstrators.
Amid calls for his resignation, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley is also expected to meet with London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Home Secretary James Cleverly, who together are responsible for law and order in the city.
“We remain focused on doing everything possible to ensure Jewish Londoners feel safe in this city,” the Metropolitan Police Service said in a statement Sunday. “We know recent events and some of our recent actions have contributed to concerns felt by many.”
The meeting comes as London police struggle to manage tensions sparked by the Israel-Hamas war, with some Jewish residents saying they feel threatened by repeated pro-Palestinian marches through the streets of the U.K. capital.
The marches have been largely peaceful. However, many demonstrators accuse Israel of genocide and a small number have shown support for Hamas, the group that led the Oct. 7 attack on Israel and which has been banned by the U.K. government as a terrorist organization.
The Metropolitan Police force has deployed thousands of officers during each of the dozen major marches as it seeks to protect the rights of the pro-Palestinian protesters and prevent clashes with counterdemonstrators and Jewish residents.
In addition to meeting with leaders of the Jewish community, senior police officers wrote to the man at the center of the latest controversy, offering to meet with him to apologize and discuss what more could be done to “ensure Jewish Londoners feel safe.″
Gideon Falter, chief executive of the Campaign Against Antisemitism, was wearing a traditional Jewish skullcap when he was stopped by police while trying to cross a street in central London as demonstrators filed past on April 13.
One officer told Falter he was worried that the man’s “quite openly Jewish” appearance could provoke a reaction from the protesters, according to video posted on social media by the campaign group. A second officer then told Falter he would be arrested if he refused to be escorted out of the area, because he would be “causing a breach of the peace.”
Metropolitan Police initially apologized for the language the officer used in describing Falter’s appearance, but said counterdemonstrators had to be aware “that their presence is provocative.”
The department later deleted that apology from its social media accounts and issued a second statement.
“In an effort to make a point about the policing of protest we caused further offense,” the force said on Friday. “This was never our intention. … Being Jewish is not a provocation. Jewish Londoners must be able to feel safe in the city.”
A woman holds a “Free Azov” sing during a rally. Credit: AP/Francisco Seco
By: Samya Kullab & Elise Morton
Ukrainian and Western leaders on Sunday welcomed a desperately needed aid package passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, as the Kremlin warned that passage of the bill would “further ruin” Ukraine and cause more deaths.
Ukrainian commanders and analysts say the long-awaited $61 billion military aid package — including $13.8 billion for Ukraine to buy weapons — will help slow Russia’s incremental advances in the war’s third year — but that more will likely be needed for Kyiv to regain the offensive.
The House swiftly approved $95 billion in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies in a rare Saturday session as Democrats and Republicans banded together after months of hard-right resistance over renewed American support for repelling Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who had warned that his country would lose the war without U.S. funding, said that he was grateful for U.S. lawmaker’ decision.
Speaking on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Zelenskyy said that the aid package would “send the Kremlin a powerful signal that (Ukraine) will not be the second Afghanistan.”
Zelenskyy said Ukraine would prioritize long-range weapons and air defenses to “break the plans of Russia” in an expected “full-scale offensive,” for which Ukrainian forces are preparing.
The aid package will go to the U.S. Senate, which could pass it as soon as Tuesday. U.S. President Joe Biden has promised to sign it immediately.
It still could take weeks for it to reach the front line, where it is desperately needed.
“With this we can stop (Russian troops) and reduce our losses,” said infantry soldier Oleksandr. He has been fighting around Avdiivka, the city in the Donetsk region that Ukraine lost to Russia in February after months of intense combat.
Ammunition shortages linked to the aid holdup over the past six months have led Ukrainian military commanders to ration shells, a disadvantage that Russia seized on this year — taking the city of Avdiivka and currently inching towards the town of Chasiv Yar, also in Donetsk.
“The Russians come at us in waves — we become exhausted, we have to leave our positions. This is repeated many times,” Oleksandr told The Associated Press. He didn’t give his full name for security reasons. “Not having enough ammunition means we can’t cover the area that is our responsibility to hold when they are assaulting us.”
In Kyiv, many welcomed the U.S. vote as a piece of good news after a tough period that has seen Russia grind out gains along the front line, and step up attacks on Ukraine’s energy system and other infrastructure.
“I heard our president officially say that we can lose the war without this help. Thanks very much and yesterday was a great event,” said Kateryna Ruda, 43.
Tatyana Ryavchenuk, the wife of a Ukrainian soldier, noted the need for more weapons, lamenting that soldiers “have nothing to protect us.”
“They need weapons, they need gear, they need it. We always need help. Because without help, our enemy can advance further and can be in the center of our city,” the 26-year-old said.
Other Western leaders, who have been scrambling to come up with ways to fill the gap left by stalled U.S. military aid, also lauded Congress’ decision.
“Ukraine is using the weapons provided by NATO Allies to destroy Russian combat capabilities. This makes us all safer, in Europe & North America,” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg posted on X.
Columbia has become the ultimate hotbed of Jewish hate as pro-Hamas students have seized the campus while intimidating Jews.
Credit: AP Photo/Mary Altaffer
By: Lieba Nesis
Does it make you mad that on Sunday April 21st Columbia Chabad Rabbi Elie Buechler told the 1,500 Jewish students, over a quarter of the school, to leave campus since it was no longer a safe place to learn? Or that out of the thousands of anti-Jewish protestors spewing venom on Jewish students for the past 6 months the only two who remain suspended by Columbia through May 2025 are Jews who sprayed harmless fart spray on these protestors? Or that Columbia hasn’t fired one anti-Semitic professor since October 7th?
Chilling video from Columbia University last night.
Or that Governor Hochul fails to call in the National Guard to arrest Columbia students protesting, throwing things and punching Jewish students on campus with more rabid anti-Semites surrounding the gate leading other college campuses to follow suit? Or that President Minouche Shafik doesn’t consider calls for the annihilation of Israel or glorifying the intifada anti-Semitic? Or that after months of Columbia professors praising Hamas’s atrocities the only professor being investigated, according to Shafik, for harassment was the lone Jewish voice fighting back Shai Davidai? Or that Jewish students, who are over a quarter of the campus, are hiding in their dorms, as chants calling for their death reverberate in their beds!
🚨 HAPPENING NOW: Teacher’s Rant Promotes Anarchy.
⚠️ “Don’t work, don’t go to class, don’t research. Act out your Marxist and post-colonial ideas!”
The shocking fact that Columbia and Barnard have closed their campus to non-students, resulting in hour long waits for students to scan ID’s to enter, means the thousands of radical Islamists photographed on campus holding Arab prayers and screaming “Fuck Israel” and praising Hamas martyrs are matriculated students-meaning this problem isn’t going anywhere.
Columbia’s President Minouche Shafik testified before a congressional House committee over the failed university’s response to a burgeoning Jew hatred. Credit: AP Photo/Miriam Zuhaib
Those outside the gates are even more venomous pushing and assaulting people as the NYPD helplessly watches without any directive from party hopping Mayor-Eric Adams-who talks a good game with slogans like “Never Again is Now” while “never” producing concrete results. Who exactly are the terrorists screaming and assaulting others outside the gates? They are a domestic terrorist group called “Within Our Lifetime” led by head Jew hater Nerdeen Kiswani who flouted her ban from Columbia’s campus for incitement of violence as she was pictured in the past few days lauding Hamas calling for the eradication of Israel and the takeover of universities. While the NYPD on campus is banned by Columbia: Violent Jew hater Nerdeen Kiswani is welcomed with a wedding ceremony.
🚨 HAPPENING NOW: Teacher’s Rant Promotes Anarchy.
Witnessing the pathetic testimony on Wednesday of Shafik along with her supercilious, incompetent supporting cast: professor David Schizer and Board of Trustees Co-chairs Claire Shipman and David Greenwald was astounding. They admitted within the last six months they had been unable to come up with a definition for anti-Semitism ultimately allowing students to scream “fuck Jews” with no repercussions.
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No parent paid to send their children to be indoctrinated into radical jihadism by rogue racist Professors.
Columbia University turned into a Hate Camp for spoiled children with weak minds.
Despite Shafik’s fake British accent her three hour performance-in the words of the Brits-was bloody awful. She lied, obfuscated, hesitated, and was completely overwhelmed by the questioning after preparing for months. When asked if Shafik was hiring more professors to combat the anti-Semitic bent of the Middle East Department or if professor’s views on Israel were being taken into account her repeated response was “no but moving forward” we will.
Rep. Mike Lawler criticizes the antisemitic protests on campuses like Columbia University:
“Every single one of these college and university presidents who refused to take action should immediately resign in disgrace, and if they don’t resign—their asses should be thrown out! I… pic.twitter.com/tk0h3GCIh5
The phrase “moving forward” by a current president means “I stink at what I do”, “I am totally unprepared for this hearing” and “I have been derelict in all my current duties.” The congressional House committee, led by Virginia Foxx, saw right through her as they relentlessly questioned her failed response to a burgeoning Jew hatred that has become de rigueur in the halls of academia making this horror show readily predictable.
🚨 Instead of removing the antisemitic Hamas supporters from campus, Columbia University is removing the one Jewish professor standing up to their hate. pic.twitter.com/3UwKQPcRNE
On that fateful Wednesday April 18th a five-day-protest began where unlawful Gaza solidarity encampments littered the campus requiring the NYPD to make over 108 arrests- the first time they have been called to the Columbia campus in over 50 years. All those hate spewing anti-Semites were released hours later after claiming to be emboldened by their ability to shut the campus down and receive nationwide attention. The Keffiyeh clad protestors told Jewish students October 7th would be repeated over 10,000 times while pro-Jewish Israeli Arab Yoseph Haddad was punched in the face as anti-Jewish violence becomes commonplace.
“There is no god but Allah and martyr is beloved of Allah”, Columbia University students shout. What does Allah have to do with war between Israel and Palestine? Maybe they want a holy war in USA? pic.twitter.com/kUyFRQoDiw
The origins of these hearings began December 5th 2023 when Harvard, University of Pennsylvania and MIT failed to answer Rep. Elise Stefanik’s simple question as to whether calling for the genocide of Jews violated their code of conduct- ultimately resulting in the removal of both Harvard and U of Penn’s Presidents Claudine Gay and Elizabeth Magill. Minouche Shafik’s absence in December was due to “a scheduling conflict” biding herself a much needed four months to prepare her testimony and implement phony safeguards for Jewish students.
Unfortunately for Shafik, being the sole focus of a three hour inquiry proved detrimental as she revealed she was feckless and uninformed as the beleaguered administrator failed to check if anti-Semitic professor Joseph Massad was still teaching and admitted she was lax in combating anti-Semitism. Acknowledging she prepared hundreds of hours with dozens of lawyers for this inquiry made Shafik’s admissions more reprehensible and attested to her unsuitability for the presidency.
Protestors at Columbia University call Jews “pigs” and claim “we are Hamas” and “long live Hamas.”pic.twitter.com/D8NIXjDFqX
Shafik, newly appointed as of July 2023, manifested at Wednesday’s hearing that the school’s out-of-control pervasively violent anti-Semitism during the past six months is no accident; House members were in concurrence that at best Shafik was clueless and weak as her campus was overrun by Hamas supporters. At worst she is a covert anti-Semite allowing claims of freedom of speech to outweigh Jewish students concerns over personal safety as she fails to close down the campus and throw out unlawful protestors. Since when is 24-hour trespassing and sleeping on University property allowed? The newly signed petition of 100 Jewish students requesting to learn remotely, means the school is no longer safe for alternative pro-Jewish political views and as such Columbia University must close its doors immediately.
Who is Columbia University’s president who is allowing Hamas supporters on campus to target and terrorize Jewish students?
Who is Minouche Shafik and how did she become President of Columbia after an unimpressive stint as President of the London School of Economics for 6 years? An acolyte of Bill and Melinda Gates who serves on their foundation Board the 62-year-old Minouche is Egyptian born and counts arabic as one of her first languages. Born in Alexandria to a wealthy landowning family she fled Egypt when she was 4 after the Egyptian government seized her father’s property forcing her family to move to Savannah, Georgia in the mid-1960’s. Despite a recent New York Times profile and dozens of articles written about Minouche her parents names are nowhere to be found and so we are left with the quandary as to why her family remains so enigmatic and what their true identities are. Her parents are referred to as educators on Wikipedia and yet where and what they have taught remain a mystery. Shafik’s prominent position at Columbia University can be attributed to her close connection to Bill and Melinda Gates who have donated more than $70 million to Columbia since 1999.
At the Palestine CHAZ-style occupation at @Columbia University, extremist Muslims praise and encourage martyrdom for Islam. (“Mother of the shahid, how lucky you are.”) Many Muslims believe in killing and dying to further their religion. pic.twitter.com/qvDFFsMapo
Over the past nine months Shafik’s tenure at Columbia has been unremarkable-that was until October 7th when Columbia University became Ground Zero for dangerous demonstrations with keffiyeh wearing students overtaking the campus as chants of “fuck the Jews”, “long live the intifada”, “we will honor all the martyrs”, “there is no safe place death to the Zionist state”, “we will distract you in the streets and turn your life into nightmares” have become typical intimidating jargon greeting Jewish students on campus while Shafik remains missing in action.
Rep. Elise Stefanik questioned Columbia President Minouche Shafik during the House Committee on Education and the Workforce on “Columbia in Crisis: Columbia University’s Response to Anti-Semitism on Capitol Hill. Credit: House.gov
Since the October 7th massacre where Hamas raped, murdered and beheaded thousands of Israelis a blatantly naked anti-Semitism has emerged resulting in the tearing down of hostage posters depicting infants and teenagers tortured by Hamas. Columbia has become the ultimate hotbed of Jewish hate as pro-Palestinian students who signed an October 9th letter empathizing with Hamas’s “military action” were subsequently backed up by 170 Columbia faculty members on October 30th urging Columbia’s leadership to protect Jew hating students while themselves labeling Israel an apartheid state.
It wasn’t until top Columbia donors such as Leon Cooperman threatened to boycott that Shafik outlawed Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) and Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) on November 10th after weekly demonstrations on Columbia’s campus supporting Hamas and calling for the violent elimination of the Jewish people and Israel made the campus unlivable. In March, Columbia considered reinstating these dangerous organizations while tacitly permitting them to endure as they held weekly unauthorized demonstrations threatening Jewish students.
The videos posted last night on Columbia University’s Chabad are shocking.
Student bodies never exist in a vacuum as dozens of Columbia teachers promulgate and encourage rabid Jew hatred. The most glaring is Joseph Massad a tenured professor of modern Arab politics and history who has been teaching at the Ivy League School for the past 25 years and has called Israel a racist state while praising Hamas’s October 7th attack as “awesome” “astounding” and a “stunning victory for the Palestinian resistance”.
MASS DEPORT every one of these students at Columbia University
— Marjorie Taylor Greene Press Release (Parody) (@MTGrepp) April 23, 2024
He also chairs the Academic Review Committee and when asked by House Committee Members Tim Walberg and Elise Stefanik if he was still chair Minouche falsely responded no and claimed he was reprimanded while conceding she was unsure if he still teaches. Massad refuted these claims in a written statement to CNN by saying he is not under any Columbia investigation, has never been reprimanded nor removed as chair of the Academic Review Committee. In fact his chair, Gil Hochberg, told Massad she and her Israeli 14-year-old son applauded his descriptive anti-Israel article.
This is just one of many lies told by Shafik who claimed the University had suspended 15 students in relation to antisemitism when in fact according to Chairwoman of the House Committee Virginia Foxx only three students were given interim suspensions between October and March all of which had been lifted. Seeing there are no consequences to pay has made Columbia the ultimate breeding ground for Jew hatred.
Honestly sending your kids to University of Phoenix online would probably be a better choice than sending them to Columbia University at this point, they’re getting the same type of remote education at a fraction of the cost
— Enguerrand VII de Coucy (@ingelramdecoucy) April 23, 2024
Other Jew hating professors include Mohamed Abdou who was brought on as a visiting Columbia scholar for the Spring 2024 semester to teach a weekly class on “Decolonial-Queerness and Abolition” after having posted immediately after October 7th “Yes I’m with Hamas and Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad.”
When asked by House member Kevin Kiley if he had been fired Shafik could not respond adequately instead saying he had been asked to leave and that she was unsure when but placed it a couple of weeks ago-coincidentally close to the hearing. He has recently been seen on campus participating in “fuck Israel” protests. As a visiting professor he was asked not to come back and never actively fired despite his reprehensible remarks. Shafik waited until April 7th to denounce the horrific “Hamas terrorist attack in Israel” right before the hearings producing snarks from a weary student body.
The list of Shafik’s transgressions are endless: Professor Rashid Khalidi a former PLO spokesman who said in 2016 that the pro-Israel Trump team members had “infested the government” and called Israel a “colonial power engaging in ethnic cleansing and legalized lawlessness” continues to teach. Current Iranian studies and literature professor Hamid Dabashi continues unscathed despite a Facebook post in 2018 calling Israel a “key actor in every dirty treacherous ugly and pernicious act happening in the world” and said “these laughing hyenas-the Zionists the Saudis and the US neocons are fucking with the wrong country.” Shafik said none of these professors had been spoken to since there were no complaints against them.
This festering anti-Semitism has gone unchecked for decades as Shafik told representative Kevin Kiley she was unsure if chants of “free Palestine from the River to the Sea” “long live the intifada” or calls for BDS-boycott, divestment and sanctioning-were anti-Semitic. Paradoxically, Columbia’s own Anti-Semitism Task Force established in March refuses to say what anti-Semitism is revealing it encourages pro-Palestinian hate speech.
Muslim man at Columbia University calling for students to MARTYR themselves! 😱
Despite the threats of violence and intimidation and the storming of classrooms the only students that remain suspended until May 2025 under Shafik are Jewish students who sprayed a harmless fart spray on anti-Israel protestors in January which Israel hating Ilhan Omar, whose net worth is $83 million, incorrectly referred to as a “noxious chemical substance” that required student hospitalization. Predictably, Shafik did not dispute Omar’s faulty characterization. In fact, Omar’s Barnard attending daughter “whom she was enormously proud of” was temporarily suspended at the protests-as the Jew hating apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
The only teacher out of the 3700 faculty members to stand up to Columbia’s pro-Hamas bullies is Shai Davidai, an assistant professor at Columbia Business School who was quickly thrown under the bus by Minouche who claimed under questioning from Omar that Davidai, who called Minouche a “lying coward”, was being investigated for 50 harassment complaints by students.
As students overrun an already frightening campus anti-Semites such as 77-year-old actress Susan Sarandon and machete carrying ex Cooper Union professor Shellyne Rodriguez run to the Columbia campus to enjoy the Jew hating fun fest. After calling the NYPD after over ten hours of Jew Hating chants on Thursday April 18th because Shafik said “extraordinary circumstances require extraordinary steps” all 108 arrested students were released from custody that evening and the Gaza encampment was moved to the opposite lawn.
Columbia U has become “Ground Zero” for dangerous demonstrations with keffiyeh wearing students overtaking the campus with chants of “fuck the Jews”, “long live the intifada” and “we will honor all the martyrs.” Credit: AP Photo/Mary Altaffer
The fact that Shafik considered the removal of violent threatening students “an extraordinary step” is noteworthy, as the following day their protests continued unfettered with an escalation in aggression. With only Columbia and Barnard students permitted on campus half hour lines to enter the University continue to make the situation untenable as hate group “Within Our Lifetime” (WOL) berates students outside.
After Columbia University’s successful protests Anti-Israel Non Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) have been emboldened to seize campuses across the USA to force BDS with Yale, Harvard, Brown and Princeton following suit. This unchecked takeover is reminiscent of the 1940’s where hateful rhetoric ultimately led to the death of 6 million Jews. Jewish students are currently being forced out of institutions they helped build. This weekend has become a watershed moment in the takeover of hate speech as Jewish students flags are torched, while Jewish students are pushed and threatened with death-a triumph for Hamas and all its terrorist spewing acolytes.
