Jewish students at Columbia University were encouraged to leave the school ahead of the Passover holiday as pro-Palestinian protests continue on campus.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Eric Schorr, a former Israel Defense Force intelligence officer “wholeheartedly” suggested that “Jewish students not only leave campus but potentially seek new institutions for their continued education.”
“As a security professional, the campus is no longer safe, it is time for the Jewish community, students, faculty and alumni donors, to vacate and abandon it entirely,” Schorr wrote on Sunday.
Newsweek reached out to the New York City Police Department via email for comment.
Over the past several days, tensions have risen at Columbia after pro-Palestinian students set up a “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” on campus. Last week, Columbia University President Minouche Shafik said in a statement that she authorized the NYPD to begin clearing out the encampment, which prompted the arrest of many students involved in the protests.
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Tensions on university campuses have been high over the past six months as Israel continues its war in Gaza, which began after Palestinian militant group Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel on October 7 that left 1,200 people dead and saw over 200 more taken hostage. More than 34,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza since the war began, the Associated Press reported, citing local health officials.
The Columbia University Apartheid Divest, a student-led group, previously said in a statement that it was calling on Columbia to divest itself from any companies or brands affiliated with Israel.
“This mass action was organized by the student-led coalition Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD), Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), & Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) to protest Columbia University’s continued financial investment in corporations that profit from Israeli apartheid, genocide, and occupation in Palestine,” the CUAD said.
Schorr’s post came in response to the Columbia/Barnard Hillel community saying on X, “We do not believe that Jewish students should leave @Columbia. We do believe that the University and the City need to do more to ensure the safety of our students.”
Other Jewish community members also responded to the recent protests, such as Orthodox Rabbi Elie Buechler, who sent out a message on WhatsApp to over 290 Jewish students Sunday morning warning that they should go home “as soon as possible” amid a rise of “extreme antisemitism and anarchy.”
“It deeply pains me to say that I would strongly recommend you return home as soon as possible and remain home until the reality in and around campus has dramatically improved,” Buechler wrote. “It is not our job as Jews to ensure our own safety on campus.”
According to WABC-TV in New York, NYPD officials warned that the Jewish holiday of Passover may see intensified violence from possible extremist groups.
Shafik announced on Monday morning that all classes will be held virtually over concerns for possible violence.
“Over the past days, there have been too many examples of intimidating and harassing behavior on our campus. Antisemitic language, like any other language that is used to hurt and frighten people, is unacceptable and appropriate action will be taken,” the statement said.
Columbia University directed Newsweek to the statement issued by Shafik on Monday announcing virtual classes.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.