Jewish billionaire Henry Swieca resigns from Columbia University board over growing 'antisemitism'
Jewish billionaire and philanthropist Henry Swieca has resigned from the Columbia University board of directors. His decision to step down is in response to events on campus, including a violent attack on an Israeli student and numerous pro-Hamas demonstrations.
The unrest at Columbia has involved protests and confrontations, with over 100 professors signing a letter in defense of pro-Palestinian students.
«To my deep regret, the reputation and integrity of Columbia University, and by extension Columbia Business School, have been significantly compromised by a moral cowardice that appears beyond repair,» Swieca said in an October 30 letter shared on social media.
Quoting Abraham Lincoln, «To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men,» Swieca accused the entire Columbia administration of failing to take a firm stance condemning Hamas.
«With blatantly anti-Jewish student groups and professors allowed to operate with complete impunity, it sends a clear and distressing message that Jews are not just unwelcome, but also unsafe on campus,» added the Jewish billionaire.
Swieca emphasised that the tolerance shown towards anti-Jewish groups and professors has sent a distressing message that Jewish members of the university community are not only unwelcome but also unsafe.
The resignation letter concludes with Swieca expressing deep concern for the direction in which Columbia University is heading. His departure from the board received support from Shai Davidai, an assistant professor at Columbia Business School, who commended Swieca as a «brave and honourable member» of the board.
