Columbia University moved all Monday classes online as the week-long Jewish holiday of Passover begins amid widespread anti-Semitic protests on campus.
“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,” Columbia president Minouche Shafik said in a Monday statement to the campus community.
“Over the past days, there have been too many examples of intimidating and harassing behavior on our campus,” Shafik said of the chaotic anti-Israel protests, sometimes featuring violence and anti-Semitic rhetoric, that have engulfed the university since Wednesday. “Antisemitic language, like any other language that is used to hurt and frighten people, is unacceptable and appropriate action will be taken.”
The chaos unfolded Wednesday morning when protesters established an encampment on Columbia’s main lawn, with students shouting anti-Semitic…
