Columbia University students’ protests against Israel have intensified, with students at New York University following suit, demanding their institutions divest from Israel. Meanwhile, billionaire donors have criticized Columbia University for what they see as inadequate protection of students, threatening to halt donations.
Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, released a statement on April 22 expressing his dissatisfaction with the anti-Israel activities on Columbia University campus. He stated that he would cease donations until corrective measures are taken to stop hatred, protect students, and ensure the safety of faculty and staff.
Leon Cooperman, a Columbia Business School graduate, billionaire investor, has already stopped donations since last year due to his dissatisfaction with Columbia University’s failure to address the anti-Israel activities. Cooperman once again criticized the anti-Israel students on campus as “crazy” on April 22. Other billionaires, including Len Blavatnik, are also considering discontinuing their donations. It is estimated that Cooperman, Blavatnik, and Kraft have collectively donated nearly $100 million to Columbia University.
However, James Gorman, Chairman of Morgan Stanley and Chairman of the Board of Columbia Business School, and David Greenspan, founder of Slate Path Capital and a member of the Columbia Business School Board, among other billionaires, have chosen not to comment on the protest activities.
The protests led by the Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine organization, occupying the campus lawn with tents since April 17, demanding the university refuse donations from Israel-related companies and divest from Israel. Despite the university bringing in law enforcement to arrest students and even issuing suspensions, the protests have escalated, leading to the university resorting to remote learning.
On April 22, New York University students, under the leadership of the NYU Palestine Solidarity Coalition, joined in solidarity with Columbia University students. That morning, NYU protesters camped outside the Stern School of Business, urging the disclosure and divestment of donations from “companies supporting the occupation by Israel” and demanding divestment from Israel. They also called for the closure of the campus in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Apart from Columbia and NYU, students from other universities across the U.S., such as Harvard University, Yale University, and the University of Southern California, have also shown support for Palestine through demonstrations.