Columbia University officials have ordered classes to be held virtually as they seek to ease tensions on the New York City campus during pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
“To ease anger and give us all a chance to consider next steps, I am announcing that all classes will be held virtually on Monday,” Columbia President Nemat “Minouche” Shafik said in a statement to the school community. .
She said faculty and staff should work remotely when possible and students who don’t live on campus should stay away.
More than 100 pro-Palestine protesters were arrested Thursday on campus after Shafik authorized New York police to clear a camp set up by students demonstrating against Israel’s war in Gaza.
Shafik said he understands that many are experiencing deep moral distress due to the war in the Middle East.
“But we cannot allow one group to dictate terms and try to disrupt important milestones like graduation to promote their point of view,” Shafik wrote.
Elie Buechler, an Orthodox rabbi at Columbia University and its affiliate Barnard College, told students in an online message that campus and city police cannot guarantee the safety of Jewish students, according to local media.
“It pains me deeply to say that I strongly recommend that you return home as soon as possible and remain at home until the reality on and around campus improves dramatically,” Buechler said in a WhatsApp message sent to hundreds of people before the Jewish Easter holiday. , which began on Monday.
The protests in Colombia, reminiscent of demonstrations there against the Vietnam War more than 50 years ago, are the latest in a series of protests that have disrupted university campuses, bridges and airports since Israel launched a devastating attack on the Gaza Strip, on October 7, after an attack on southern Israel led by the Palestinian group Hamas.
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