Capital District Times

Congresswoman Elise Stefanik and Senator Joni Ernst have called for an investigation into threats allegedly made by the Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD) student group coalition. In a letter addressed to FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Dennehy, the lawmakers expressed concern over violent threats directed at Jewish and Israeli students and their allies.

The letter highlighted CUAD's initial apology for making threatening remarks, which was later retracted. On October 8, 2024, CUAD issued a statement retracting its apology, asserting that it did not align with the group's values. The statement further advocated for "liberation by any means necessary, including armed resistance," declaring that "violence is the only path forward." Earlier in the week, CUAD reportedly endorsed a terrorist attack in Tel Aviv claimed by Hamas, referring to it as "a significant act of resistance." This attack resulted in seven fatalities, including a mother who died protecting her nine-month-old child.

Stefanik and Ernst emphasized that these threats are serious. They noted past incidents of violence involving CUAD members and leaders. Last spring, amid rising tensions, the director of the Orthodox Union-Jewish Learning Initiative at Columbia and Barnard advised Jewish students to leave campus due to safety concerns.

The full letter from Stefanik and Ernst can be accessed through their official channels.