Threats, Hate Speech on Campus: Columbia Law Group Declares "No Jew Safe" Until Palestine Free

A student group at Columbia Law School has sparked outrage with a statement asserting that "no Jew is safe" or "free" until Palestine is free. The group's email condemnation of the university administration and the NYPD for clearing out protesters from Hamilton Hall has raised concerns for Jewish students and faculty.

A student group at Columbia Law School has issued a controversial statement claiming that no Jew is "safe" or "free" until Palestine is free. The group's email, allegedly sent by Columbia Law's National Lawyers Guild organization, condemned the school's administration and the NYPD for clearing out protesters who occupied Hamilton Hall.

In response to criticism from Jewish students and faculty, the group asserted that they did not speak for "all Jews" and argued that Jewish safety could not be assured until Palestine is "free." The message also accused Jewish critics of "threatening everyone's safety" and falsely claiming that anti-Zionist speech was antisemitic.

The email further stated, "Our safety cannot be predicated on the oppression of others, whether campus protesters or Palestinians. No Jew is safe until everyone is safe, and no Jew is free until Palestine is free."

The National Lawyers Guild chapter's message has sparked concerns among Jewish students and faculty. Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, Chairman of the Conference of European Rabbis, expressed dismay, stating, "It is reckless for Columbia Law's National Lawyers Guild group to throw around words such as safety and freedom when the message they are communicating directly threatens the safety and freedom of Jewish students on campus."

Rabbi David Markowitz, Olami Executive Vice President, added, "When Columbia set up encampments other universities followed, when Columbia students and others stormed and occupied school buildings, other universities followed. This latest statement appears to be another escalation that we can expect to follow on other campuses."

Approximately 300 people were arrested at Columbia and nearby City College on Tuesday night, with charges including trespassing, criminal mischief, and burglary. NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Public Information Tarik Sheppard stated that many of the protesters in Hamilton Hall were outside agitators.

Columbia Law's National Lawyers Guild chapter has defended its statement, emphasizing its commitment to economic, social, and environmental justice. However, its message has sparked a heated debate on campus, raising concerns about the safety of Jewish students and faculty.