Columbia University president is accused of running one of the worst 'hotbeds of anti-Semitism and hate' as she defends 'peaceful' Hamas protesters

Columbia students insist their university has done nothing about a 'tsunami of antisemitism' on campus after the Hamas attack - just as President Nemat Shafik testifies before the House Education and Workforce Committee. 

'In the five months following October 7, the Columbia administration sat idly by as a tsunami of anti semitism in the forms of harassment, bullying, exclusion, intimidation, and physical violence flooded every aspect of campus life,' one Jewish student said at a news conference ahead of the hearing. 

Jewish students told stories of Star of David necklaces being ripped off necks while the walk to class, having antisemitic slogans shouted in their faces as they said Columbia offers 'no transparency about what they're doing, if anything to the people violating the university rules.'

House GOP conference chair Rep. Elise Stefanik said: 'Columbia's leadership refuses to enforce their own policies and condemn Jewish hatred on campus, creating a breeding ground for antisemitism and a hotbed of support for terrorism from radicalized faculty and students.' 

At the start of the antisemitism hearing, chairwoman Virginia Foxx played a clip of students rallying at Columbia and shouting 'Intifada!' and 'We will honor all the martyrs!' in reference the Hamas attackers on Oct. 7. 

'While anti semitism has been festering on numerous college campuses, Columbia University stands out as one of the worst offenders,' Foxx insisted. 

Shafik insisted she has aggressively worked to combat antisemitism on campus, including holding over 200 meetings on the topic, holding daily meetings of the campus security team and working with the NYPD and FBI when hate crimes occur on campus. 

She said the 'vast majority' of protests on campus have been 'peaceful' and said the college is focused on upholding free speech, but 'cannot and shouldn't tolerate abuses this pledge to harass and discriminate.'

'The ultimate answer to anti-Semitism and all its forms is education,' said Shafik. 

An earlier antisemitism hearing in January had devastating consequences for other university presidents who Republicans criticized for excusing antisemitism: Harvard President Claudine Gay and Penn President Liz Magill resigned after their appearance before the Education and Workforce Commitee.

Ranking Democrat Bobby Scott played a clip of the Charlottesville 'Unite the Right' rally in 2017. 

'While I appreciate my colleagues' newfound concerns for some students of all rights on campus, I would note that it is at odds with House Republicans' budget proposals,' he said.