An Orthodox rabbi at Columbia University warned Jewish students to stay away from campus for their own safety as large anti-Israel protests at the university have grown increasingly chaotic and antisemitic. Rabbi Elie Buechler wrote on Sunday morning to students in Yavneh, Columbia's Orthodox Jewish organization, “What we are witnessing in and around campus is terrible and tragic. The events of the last few days, especially last night, have made it clear that Columbia University’s Public Safety and the NYPD cannot guarantee Jewish students’ safety in the face 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,” he added. According to Rabbi Buechler, “It is not our job as Jews to ensure our own safety on campus. No one should have to endure this level of hatred, let alone at school.” Related articles: Columbia students chain themselves to fence in support of Khalil Mahmoud Khalil can challenge arrest in New Jersey, not Louisiana CUAD's Instagram account suspended for promoting violence New Columbia pres. dismissed Congress hearings on antisemitism Rabbi Buechler's warning comes as pro-Hamas protestors set up a new tent city on the Columbia University campus, days after the first tent city was dismantled and over 100 protestors were arrested. Overnight Saturday, the Chabad rabbi of Columbia University and a group of Jewish students were forced to leave the university campus for their own safety during a pro-Hamas demonstration. Video posted to social media showed a female student asking why the anti-Israel protesters are following them, and another student can be heard saying that they needed to stick together for safety. During Saturday night's demonstration, protesters attempted to break through the campus gate, chanting "Break da lock," "Someone torch it," Pick the lock," and "It's just a lock." Demonstrators chanted "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" and "there is only one solution, Intifada revolution." On Friday, videos were posted to social media showing protestors at Columbia University threatening that more massacres similar to the Hamas massacre of October 7 would be committed. "Remember the 7th of October!" one protester yelled. "That will happen not one more time, not five more times, not 10 more times, not 100 more times, not 1000 more times, but 10,000 times!" "Never forget the 7th of October," said another protestor. "Are you ready? 7th of October is about to be every day. Every day. 7th of October is going to be every day for you." Protesters also held signs pointing at Jewish students, calling them "Al-Qassam's next targets" in reference to the military wing of the Hamas terrorist organization. A group of Jewish Columbia alumni wrote to university president Minouche Shafik that the ongoing anti-Israel protests on campus were creating an unsafe atmosphere for Jewish students and that violence against Jews was likely in the near-future. “At present, new, unauthorized protests are disrupting classes and creating an irrefutably unsafe environment for Jewish students,” the alumni wrote, adding that “violence against Jewish students is imminent." The letter called on Shafik to ensure that “all possible steps to protect Jewish safety.”
