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Patriots Owner Robert Kraft Stops Supporting Major University Over Pro-Palestine Protests


New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has had enough of pro-Palestine protests on the campus of Colombia University.

Robert Kraft issued a statement that read, “I am deeply saddened at the virulent hate that continues to grow on campus and throughout our country.”

The statement continued, “I am deeply saddened at the virulent hate that continues to grow on campus and throughout our country.”

In the last six days, over 100 protesters have been arrested after many students pitched tents and reduced police orders to disperse off the University’s lawn.

Kraft attended Colombia University in the 1960s and served as the school’s student president during his time there.

Check out what Politico reported:

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft indicated he will no longer be donating to Columbia University as pro-Palestinian protests continued for a sixth day at his alma mater’s New York City campus.

Kraft issued a statement through his Foundation to Combat Antisemitism and its #StandUpToJewishHate campaign.

“I am deeply saddened at the virulent hate that continues to grow on campus and throughout our country,” Kraft said. “I am no longer confident that Columbia can protect its students and staff and I am not comfortable supporting the university until corrective action is taken.”

More than 100 people have been arrested since the demonstrations began on or near campus. Protesters are calling for a cease-fire in Gaza and want Columbia to divest from Israel. Some set up tent encampments on campus grounds.

Jewish students at Columbia tell CBS New York they are scared for their safety and that chants like “Resistance is glorious” coming from the protesters are antisemitic.

School president Minouche Shafik has announced a switch to remote learning as a way to “deescalate” the situation. Kraft said he hopes leadership at Columbia “will stand up to this hate by ending these protests immediately.”

Per The New York Post:

New England Patriots team owner Robert Kraft announced Monday that he was pulling his support from Columbia University over the ongoing anti-Israel protest at the Manhattan campus.

“It was through the full academic scholarship Columbia gave me that I was able to attend college and get my start in life and for that I have been tremendously grateful,” Kraft said in a statement. “However, the school I love so much – the one that welcomed me and provided me with so much opportunity – is no longer an institution I recognize.”

“I am deeply saddened at the virulent hate that continues to grow on campus and throughout our country,” Kraft added. “I am no longer confident that Columbia can protect its students and staff and I am not comfortable supporting the university until corrective action is taken.



 

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