House Republicans, including Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island/South Brooklyn), faced a chilly reception at Columbia University on Wednesday after meeting with Jewish students about on-campus antisemitism. The group, led by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), visited the Morningside Heights institution to learn more about the ongoing protests in support of the Palestinian people, and its impact on the school. Despite their good intentions, House Republicans were met with hostility. Their attempt to address a crowd of about 250 outside the school’s Low Memorial Library was met with loud disruptions. Boos and heckles drowned out Johnson and the other Republicans, preventing them from clearly conveying their message. One member of the crowd shouted, “Stop your grandstanding,” while another led a series of pro-Palestinian chants, including “From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be free.” Prior to their attempted press conference, the Republican group met with school president Minouche Shafik and a group of Jewish students. C-Span microphones captured the group’s comments, with Johnson denouncing the “mob” that prevented most present from hearing his remarks. “I’m here to proclaim to all those who gnash their teeth and demand to wipe the state of Israel off the map and attack our innocent Jewish students, this simple truth — neither Israel nor these Jewish students on this campus will ever stand alone,” Johnson declared. The controversy surrounding the House Republicans’ visit to Columbia University highlights the ongoing tensions on college campuses regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Not far from where Johnson spoke, Columbia students have set up a camp tent protest on the school’s quad. Members of the protest group belong to a coalition known as Columbia University Apartheid Divest, formed to demand that the university divest from companies and institutions that support Israel. Their latest protest movement has been fueled by Israel’s war on the Gaza Strip in response to Hamas attacks. The protest has gained international attention and led to the arrest of some campers by the NYPD. Despite the hostile reception they faced, House Republicans remain committed to addressing antisemitism on college campuses. They believe that such behavior is unacceptable and must be condemned. The meeting between the Republicans and Jewish students at Columbia University, though disrupted, provided an opportunity for both sides to express their concerns and perspectives. The ongoing protests and tensions highlight the complex and sensitive nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the challenges faced by universities in fostering a respectful and inclusive environment for all students.
House Republicans Met with Hostility at Columbia University Over Antisemitism Concerns
