Columbia moves all classes to virtual as anti-Israel protesters disrupt campus

Columbia University has canceled in-person classes on Monday, switching the whole campus to virtual, after massive anti-Israel protests that have gone on for days. Students and agitators have been yelling "we are Hamas" as well as "from the river to the sea Palestine will be free" and there have been over 100 arrests made. “We need a reset,” Columbia University President Minouche Shafi said.

In a statement to the university, Shafik told students and faculty, "To deescalate the rancor and give us all a chance to consider next steps, I am announcing that all classes will be held virtually on Monday."  

"During the coming days, a working group of Deans, university administrators and faculty members will try to bring this crisis to a resolution. That includes continuing discussions with the student protestors and identifying actions we can take as a community to enable us to peacefully complete the term and return to respectful engagement with each other," Shafik added.   

Last week, NYPD arrested over 100 demonstrators including the daughter of Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar and the teenage children of other wealthy and well-known elites.   

The class cancellations come after a school rabbi warned the Jewish students to not to return to campus over rampant "extreme anti-Semitism."  

Rabbi Elie Buechler told the Jewish students after the protests on campus in a WhatsApp message, "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 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," the rabbi added.   

During the protests that took place, there was footage that called for a group of students with the Israel and American flags to be the "next targets" of Hamas.  

Protesters yelled phrases such as "We are Hamas!" and "Long live Hamas" at other students during the past several days of ongoing protests.