Columbia removes three deans from power for ‘very troubling’ antisemitic text messages

Palestine demonstrators at universities are getting *** response from Washington but it might not be what they had in mind. This is *** really important time right now for the Jewish community with students being scared on campus. The Anti Semitism Awareness Act heads to the Senate after passing the House with strong in support yesterday evening, it's controversial but not because it opposes anti Semitism. President Joe Biden is set to speak about that at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum next week and the highest ranking Jewish politician in US history leads the Senate. There's no place for violence or anti Semitism on the campuses. The AC Lu argues the legislation could stifle free speech on college campuses. The bill uses the definition of anti Semitism from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance that calls it quote *** certain perception of Jews which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. The bill would make the education department use that definition to enforce anti discrimination laws, speech that is critical of Israel alone does not constitute unlawful discrimination. The bill sweeps too broadly. It's not *** Jewish versus Muslim issue. It's not the Jews aren't doing anything wrong. It's the leaders in Israel are doing things wrong. They're bombing Gaza, I mi mi K reporting.

Columbia University announced Monday it has permanently removed three deans from their posts after finding they engaged in “very troubling” text messages that touched on antisemitic tropes.Video above: Lawmakers respond to demonstrations with Antisemitism Awareness ActIn a letter, Columbia President Minouche Shafik committed to holding those officials responsible for the “disturbing” incident, which occurred during a May 31 panel discussion about Jewish life at an alumni event.“The incident revealed behavior and sentiments that were not only unprofessional, but also, disturbingly touched on ancient antisemitic tropes,” Shafik said in the Monday statement.“Whether intended as such or not, these sentiments are unacceptable and deeply upsetting, conveying a lack of seriousness about the concerns and the experiences of members of our Jewish community that is antithetical to our University’s values and the standards we must uphold in our community.”Columbia leaders have been under fire for months to show they are taking action to combat antisemitism on campus and protect Jewish students and staff.Angela Olinto, Columbia’s provost, said she shares Shafik’s “dismay” and announced the three staff members involved “have been permanently removed from their positions” and will “remain on leave at this time.”“Their conduct was wrong and contrary to the mission and values of our institution,” Olinto said. “It revealed, at best, an ignorance of the history of antisemitism.”A Columbia spokesperson told CNN that all three officials are still employed by the university.CNN reached out to the three officials for comment.However, Columbia signaled that a fourth official involved in the text messages, Josef Sorett, the dean of Columbia College, is staying in power after apologizing and taking responsibility.On Monday Sorett sent a message to Columbia College students apologizing for his actions.“I am deeply sorry that this happened in a community that I lead and , (sic) that I was part of any of the exchanges, and I pledge to spearhead the change we need to ensure this never happens again,” the message, which was also posted online, read.Last week, Rep. Virginia Foxx, the Republican chairwoman of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, demanded Columbia hold the three officials accountable and revealed images of the group text exchange.“Jewish students deserve better than to have harassment and threats against them dismissed as ‘privilege,’ and Jewish faculty members deserve better than to be mocked by their colleagues,” Foxx said in the statement last week.

NEW YORK —

Columbia University announced Monday it has permanently removed three deans from their posts after finding they engaged in “very troubling” text messages that touched on antisemitic tropes.

Video above: Lawmakers respond to demonstrations with Antisemitism Awareness Act

In a letter, Columbia President Minouche Shafik committed to holding those officials responsible for the “disturbing” incident, which about Jewish life at an alumni event.

“The incident revealed behavior and sentiments that were not only unprofessional, but also, disturbingly touched on ancient antisemitic tropes,” Shafik said in the Monday .

“Whether intended as such or not, these sentiments are unacceptable and deeply upsetting, conveying a lack of seriousness about the concerns and the experiences of members of our Jewish community that is antithetical to our University’s values and the standards we must uphold in our community.”

Columbia leaders have been under fire for months to show they are taking action to combat antisemitism on campus and protect Jewish students and staff.

Angela Olinto, Columbia’s provost, said she shares Shafik’s “dismay” and announced the three staff members involved “have been permanently removed from their positions” and will “remain on leave at this time.”

“Their conduct was wrong and contrary to the mission and values of our institution,” Olinto said. “It revealed, at best, an ignorance of the history of antisemitism.”

A Columbia spokesperson told CNN that all three officials are still employed by the university.

CNN reached out to the three officials for comment.

However, Columbia signaled that a fourth official involved in the text messages, Josef Sorett, the dean of Columbia College, is staying in power after apologizing and taking responsibility.

On Monday Sorett sent a message to Columbia College students apologizing for his actions.

“I am deeply sorry that this happened in a community that I lead and , (sic) that I was part of any of the exchanges, and I pledge to spearhead the change we need to ensure this never happens again,” read.

Last week, Rep. Virginia Foxx, the Republican chairwoman of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, Columbia hold the three officials accountable and revealed images of the group text exchange.

“Jewish students deserve better than to have harassment and threats against them dismissed as ‘privilege,’ and Jewish faculty members deserve better than to be mocked by their colleagues,” Foxx said in the statement last week.

��vlog