A billionaire donor harshly criticized anti-Israel protesters at Columbia University, while New York Governor Kathy Hochul described the agitators as “vile.”
Hedge fund boss Leon Cooperman didn’t hold back in addressing the growing anti-Israel demonstrations at the Ivy League school, where pro-Palestinian protesters were seen again on Monday after being dispersed by New York police the last week.
‘These kids are fucking crazy. They don’t understand what they’re doing or what they’re talking about,” said Cooperman, the son of Polish-Jewish immigrants. cnn on Monday, adding that protesters “have to be controlled.”
However, the Columbia alum expressed support for university president Minouche Shafik, who canceled in-person learning on Monday due to the current chaos.
“My opinion is that they are finally doing the right thing at school,” he said. “The administration is now responding appropriately…The president is now saying the right things.”
Referring to anti-Semitic people, Cooperman added: “Fuck everyone.”
Hedge fund boss Leon Cooperman didn’t hold back when addressing the growing anti-Israel protests at the Ivy League school.
Meanwhile, New York’s Democratic governor, Kathy Hochul, issued a recorded statement on the Columbia campus.
Pro-Palestinian protesters in tents were seen again on Monday after being dispersed by the NYPD last week.
In October, Cooperman threatened to withdraw his financial support from Columbia due to anti-Semitism on campus. However, after discussing the matter with Shakif, he now says that he has decided to continue the donations, but only to his alma mater, Columbia Business School.
Meanwhile, New York’s Democratic governor, Kathy Hochul, issued a recorded statement on the Columbia campus.
“This morning I went to Columbia University and convened the City Council, the NYPD, and the president of Columbia to discuss the need to fight anti-Semitism and protect public safety,” Hochul posted on X.
‘The recent harassment and rhetoric is vile and abhorrent. “Every student deserves to be safe.”
Hochul added: “I was once a student protester, but I had never seen a level of protest that was so person-to-person and so visceral.” And I call on everyone: people need to find their humanity. Have conversations, talk to each other, understand different points of view because that’s what college students should do.’
On Monday, Jewish professor Shai Davidai claimed he was prevented from entering the Columbia campus after he created a pro-Israel rally to counter the student-led encampment in Gaza.
Students had been protesting on campus since early Wednesday, opposing Israeli military action in Gaza.
The NYPD broke up an encampment at the university on Thursday and arrested more than 100 protesters, including Rep. Ilhan Omar’s daughter.
A source told DailyMail.com that Davidai’s employee card was deactivated after he refused to hold his counter-protest in the designated area and instead held it next to the pro-Gaza demonstration.
The NYPD broke up an encampment at the university on Thursday and arrested more than 100 protesters, including Rep. Ilhan Omar’s daughter.
Democratic Mayor Eric Adams previously said university officials asked the city in writing to remove the encampment.
“Students have the right to free speech, but they do not have the right to violate university policies and disrupt learning on campus,” Adams said Sunday night.
‘I am horrified and disgusted by the anti-Semitism that is spreading on and around the Columbia University campus.
“Hate has no place in our city, and I have directed the NYPD to investigate any violation of the law that they receive a report about and will arrest anyone who breaks the law,” Adams said Sunday night.
‘However, I want to be very clear: Columbia University is a private institution on private property, which means that the NYPD cannot have a presence on campus unless specifically requested by senior university officials.
Buechler encouraged students to consider staying home, writing, “It is not our job as Jews to ensure our own safety on campus.”
Columbia University canceled all in-person classes amid escalating anti-Israel protests that have sparked fear among Jewish students and a warning from a rabbi.
President Shafik said Monday that she was “saddened” by the situation and that the school “needed a restart.”
“I understand that many are experiencing deep moral distress and I want Columbia to help alleviate this by taking action,” he said.
“We should have serious conversations about how Columbia can contribute.”
The Egyptian-born academic added that tensions have been “exploited and amplified by individuals not affiliated with Columbia,” warning that they are pursuing their own agenda.
Students had been protesting on campus since the early hours of Wednesday, opposing Israeli military action in Gaza and demanding that the school divest from companies they claim are “profits of Israeli apartheid.”