Rabbi urges Jewish students at Columbia University to stay home over pro-Palestine protests

By Necva Tastan

ISTANBUL (AA) - As protests against Israel's ongoing Gaza offensive continue at Columbia University, a rabbi on Monday advised Jewish students at the New York campus to stay home, with the holiday of Passover approaching.

Rabbi Elie Buechler, associated with Columbia University's Orthodox Union Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus, urged around 300 mostly Orthodox Jewish students to return home for safety reasons.

Pro-Palestinian protesters have launched a protest on campus condemning Israel's offensive on Gaza, which has displaced over 75% of the estimated 2.3 million people and resulted in over 34,000 deaths, according to Gaza health officials. They urge Columbia University to divest from companies linked to Israel.

Rabbi Buechler stated in a message that recent occurrences at the university have cast doubt on the inability of the Columbia University Department of Public Safety and the New York Police Department to ensure the safety of Jewish students.

"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 said.

Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine, one of the protest groups, issued a statement on X emphasizing their aim to end attacks on Gaza civilians peacefully.

Despite this, tense incidents on campus have drawn criticism from the White House and New York officials, CNN News reported.

Amid pressure, Columbia administrators announced that as of Monday, when Passover, a major Jewish holiday, that begins in the evening, students may choose to attend classes and take tests virtually.