Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, will no longer support Columbia University after antisemitism has erupted at the Ivy League school.
Kraft made the announcement Monday through his philanthropic organization, Foundation to Combat Antisemitism, Fox News reported.
“It was through the full academic scholarship Columbia gave me that I was able to attend college and get my start in life and for that I have been tremendously grateful,” Kraft’ said in the statement. “However, the school I love so much – the one that welcomed me and provided me with so much opportunity – is no longer an institution I recognize.
“I am deeply saddened at the virulent hate that continues to grow on campus and throughout our country. I am no longer confident that Columbia can protect its students and staff and I am not comfortable supporting the university until corrective action is taken.
“It is my hope that Columbia and its leadership will stand up to this hate by ending these protests immediately and will work to earn back the respect and trust of many of us who have lost faith in the institution. It is my hope that in this difficult time, the Kraft Center at Columbia will serve as a source of security and safety for all Jewish students and faculty on campus who want to gather peacefully to practice their religions, to be together and to be welcomed.”
Kraft’s foundation has led the charge against antisemitism even before the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.
The university has been the site of protests by pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested Monday, CNN reported.
As tempers flared, the university moved to virtual classes Monday, the beginning of Passover, a Jewish holiday.
Columbia University President Dr. Nemat “Minouche” Shafik said in a statement she was “deeply saddened” by the turn of events, Fox News reported.
“I am deeply saddened by what is happening on our campus,” Shafik wrote. The statement continued:
“Our bonds as a community have been severely tested in ways that will take a great deal of time and effort to reaffirm. Students across an array of communities have conveyed fears for their safety and we have announced additional actions we are taking to address security concerns. The decibel of our disagreements has only increased in recent days. These tensions have been exploited and amplified by individuals who are not affiliated with Columbia who have come to campus to pursue their own agendas.”
“We need a reset,” she said. “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. Faculty and staff who can work remotely should do so; essential personnel should report to work according to university policy. Our preference is that students who do not live on campus will not come to campus.”
There were also pro-Israel protestors outside the Columbia gates. Some were waving Israeli and American flags, per CNN.
“This is happening at every U.S. university. Jews are not safe anywhere on college campuses,” Shai Davidai, a Jewish Columbia Business School assistant professor, said.
