More than 500 Columbia University students signed a letter thanking the school for suspending two groups of students accused of making threats while opposing Israel’s war against Hamas.
Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace were suspended through the end of the fall term for violating the Manhattan Ivy League institution’s policies regarding “threatening rhetoric and intimidation.”
The SJP was specifically accused of celebrating the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, in which more than 1,200 people were massacred in Israel and nearly 240 more were taken hostage.
“While debate, advocacy and protest have always been, and must remain, central elements of Colombia’s DNA, recent anti-Israel and pro-Hamas demonstrations show unacceptable ignorance of historical facts and dangerous ideological militancy,” reads the letter sent to school Monday.
“It is truly terrifying to see Columbia University student organizations acting in close ideological collaboration with authoritarian nations and regimes, or their representatives, who advocate violence, deny their citizens human rights and the free expression of ideas and They oppose equal rights for women and men. the LGBTQ community,” the alumni added.
Columbia University suspended two groups of students who held demonstrations condemning Israel’s war against Hamas. AP One of the student groups was accused of celebrating the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack. fake images
While thanking the school for suspending the groups, the alumni called on the university to prevent such demonstrations from taking place in the future, as New York City and the world as a whole have seen a sharp rise in anti-Semitism. after Israel’s declaration of war in Gaza.
The NYPD reported at least 69 anti-Jewish incidents in October, more than triple the number from the previous year.
Follow The Post’s live blog for the latest on Hamas’ attack on Israel.
The alumni letter warned about comments made by the JVP after their suspension, where the Jewish group suggested it would not back down from holding pro-Palestinian rallies on campus.
“Our actions will be louder than our words. To all those people who long for freedom and to the media: stay tuned. [sic] “Keep an eye on Columbia,” the JVP said in a statement Saturday.
The student groups issued a defiant statement saying they will continue their demonstrations despite being suspended. Instagram/@sjp.columbia
Alumni said the group’s statement served as “a direct threat” to escalate divisions on campus and urged Columbia to permanently ban the SJP and JVP, as well as investigate all other student groups that joined the group. a recent strike with pro-Palestinian organizations.
The letter also called on Columbia University President Minouche Shafik to directly condemn the phrase “From the River to the Sea,” a chant used by pro-Palestinian protesters that, according to alumni, “implies the eradication of the Jews of Israel.” .
Other hurtful and inciting phrases, including calls for a “global intifada,” or uprising, should not be allowed on campus, and those who chant these words should be held accountable for hate speech, the alumni wrote.
Hundreds of Columbia University alumni are calling for a permanent ban on student groups on campus.Getty Images
Following the groups’ suspension, Gerald Rosberg, senior executive vice president of the university, issued a statement saying that the SJP and JVP will not be able to hold events on campus or receive funding from the school.
“Lifting the suspension will depend on the two groups demonstrating a commitment to compliance with University policies and engaging in consultation at the group leadership level with University officials,” he said.
Columbia declined to comment further on the matter.
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