Saratoga, N.Y. - Congresswoman Elise Stefanik and Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) sent a letterto FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Dennehy demanding action is taken regarding the threats of violence coming from the Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD) student group coalition. These violent threats towards Jewish and Israeli students and allies demand immediate attention and a thorough investigation to prevent any acts of terrorism.

In the letter, the lawmakers state,"Regarding these terroristic threats, CUAD initially wrote a statement apologizing for and disavowing such heinous remarks. However, on October 8, 2024, CUAD apologized for the apology, saying its contrition "does not represent … CUAD's values." In the same statement, CUAD advocated for "liberation by any means necessary, including armed resistance," and even wrote, in black and white, "violence is the only path forward." Notably, earlier in the week, the same group endorsed the Hamas-claimed terrorist attack in Tel Aviv, embracing the same language used in its publicly posted threat, calling it "a significant act of resistance." This so-called "bold attack" claimed the lives of seven people. Among the dead was the mother of a nine-month-old baby who died shielding her child, who himself was rushed to the hospital with injuries."

The lawmakers continued, "These threats aren't idle. Last spring, amid significant violence in which the group and its leaders engaged, the director of the Orthodox Union-Jewish Learning Initiative at Columbia and Barnard urged Jewish students to "return home as soon as possible and remain home" because "Columbia University's Public Safety and the NYPD cannot guarantee Jewish students' safety in the face of extreme antisemitism and anarchy.""

Read the full letter HERE.

Permalink: https://stefanik.house.gov/2024/10/stefanik-ernst-demand-investigation-into-columbia-student-groups-issuing-anti-jewish-and-anti-israel-threats