Defund Columbia: Robert Kraft pulls his money as other donors blast 'f*****g crazy' anti-Israel mob but staff join students' campus protest in spiraling crisis

Billionaire Robert Kraft has pulled his financial support from Columbia University, saying he's lost confidence in the Ivy League school's ability to protect its students amid anti-Israel protests.

'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,' The New England Patriots' owner and Columbia graduate said on Monday.

'I am deeply saddened at the virulent hate that continues to grow on campus and throughout our country.'

Kraft added: 'It is my hope that Columbia and its leadership will stand up to this hate by ending these protests immediately and will work to earn back the respect and trust of the many of us who have lost faith in the institution.

The billionaire also said he hopes Columbia's Kraft Center for Jewish Student life serves 'as a source of security and safety for all Jewish students and faculty on campus.'

On Monday dozens of staff members at Columbia University staged a walk out on Monday as they protested the NYPD being called in to control anti-Israel protests last week.

On Monday dozens of staff members at Columbia University staged a walk out on Monday as they protested the NYPD being called in to control anti-Israel protests last week

Staff members held signs that read: 'Hands off our students' and 'End students' suspension'

Robert Kraft has pulled his financial support from Columbia University, saying he's lost confidence in the Ivy League school's ability to protect its students amid anti-Israel protests

Staff members held signs that read: 'Hands off our students' and 'End students' suspension.'

History professor Christopher Brown said: 'I'm here because I'm so concerned about what is happening in this university... 

'Thursday, April 18th, 2024, will be remembered as a shameful day in Columbia's history. 'The president's decision to send riot police to pick up peaceful protesters on our campus was unprecedented, unjustified, disproportionate, divisive and dangerous.'

A growing chorus of members of Congress have began speaking out about the crisis at Columbia, with Republican senators Tom Cotton and Josh Hawley called on president Joe Biden to call in the National Guard to Columbia to control the demonstrations.

Meanwhile all ten of New York's republicans in congress wrote a letter to President Minouche Shafik asking for her resignation, claiming 'anarchy has engulfed the campus of Columbia University.'

A growing chorus of members of Congress have began speaking out about the crisis at

Dozens of staff members at Columbia University staged a walk out on Monday as they protested the NYPD being called in to control anti-Israel protests last week.

It comes as billionaire hedge fund boss Leon Cooperman did not hold back while addressing the escalating anti-Israel demonstrations at the Ivy League school, where pro-Palestine protesters were seen again on Monday after being dispersed by the NYPD last week.

'These kids are f***ing crazy. They don't understand what they're doing or what they're talking about,' Cooperman, the son of Jewish-Polish immigrants, told CNN on Monday, adding the protesters 'have to be controlled.'

However, the Columbia alum expressed support for embattled university president Minouche Shafik, who canceled in-person learning on Monday due to the ongoing chaos.

'My view is that finally they are doing the right thing at the school,' he said. 'The administration is now responding properly... The president is now saying the right things.'

Referring to anti-Semitic people, Cooperman added: 'F*** them all.'

Back in October Cooperman threatened to withdraw his financial support of Columbia due to anti-Semitism on campus. However, after discussing the matter with Shakif, he now says he has decided to continue the donations - but only to his alma mater, Columbia Business School. 

Hedge fund boss Leon Cooperman did not hold back while addressing the escalating anti-Israel protests at the Ivy League school

Democratic New York governor Kathy Hochul issued a statement recorded at the Columbia campus

Cooperman donated $25million in 2021 to support the construction of Columbia's Manhatanville campus.

Democratic Mayor Eric Adams previously said the city was asked in writing by university officials to remove the encampment, and asked for university officials to allow officers to continue to help control the protests.

'Students have a right to free speech, but do not have a right to violate university policies and disrupt learning on campus,' Adams said on Sunday night.

'I am horrified and disgusted with the antisemitism being spewed at and around the Columbia University campus.

'Hate has no place in our city, and I have instructed the NYPD to investigate any violation of law they receive a report about and will arrest anyone found to be breaking the law,' Adams said on Sunday night.

Columbia University professors speak in solidarity with their students rights to protest free from arrest at the Columbia University campus

Pro-Palestine protesters in tents were seen again on Monday after being dispersed by the NYPD last week

Jewish professor Shai Davidai claimed he was blocked from entering the Columbia campus after he created a pro-Israel demonstration to counter the student-led Gaza encampment

'I do, however, want to be abundantly clear: Columbia University is a private institution on private property, which means the NYPD cannot have a presence on campus unless specifically requested by senior university officials.

Meanwhile Democratic New York governor Kathy Hochul issued a statement recorded at the Columbia campus.

'This morning I went to Columbia University and convened City Hall, NYPD & Columbia's President to discuss the need to fight antisemitism and protect public safety,' Hochul posted on X.

'The recent harassment and rhetoric is vile and abhorrent. Every student deserves to be safe.'

The students had been protesting on campus since early Wednesday, opposing Israeli military action in Gaza

The NYPD removed an encampment at the college on Thursday and arrested more than 100 demonstrators, including the daughter of Rep. Ilhan Omar 

Hochul added: 'I was once a student protestor, but I've never seen a level of protest that is so person to person, and so visceral. And I'm calling on everyone – people need to find their humanity. Have the conversations, talk to each other, understand different points of view because that's what college students should be doing.'

On Monday, Jewish professor Shai Davidai claimed he was blocked from entering the Columbia campus after he created a pro-Israel demonstration to counter the student-led Gaza encampment.

A source told DailyMail.com Davidai's employee card was deactivated after he refused to hold his counter-protest in the designated area and instead staged it beside the pro-Gaza demonstration. 

The NYPD removed an encampment at the college on Thursday and arrested more than 100 demonstrators, including the daughter of Rep. Ilhan Omar.

Buechler encouraged students to consider staying home, writing, 'It is not our job as Jews to ensure our own safety on campus'

Columbia University canceled all in-person classes amid escalating anti-Israel protests that have sparked fear in Jewish students - and a warning from a rabbi.

President Shafik on Monday said she was 'saddened' by the situation and that the school 'needed a reset'.

'I understand that many are experiencing deep moral distress and want Columbia to help alleviate this by taking action,' she said.

'We should be having serious conversations about how Columbia can contribute.'

The Egyptian-born academic added that tensions have been 'exploited and amplified by individuals who are not affiliated with Columbia', warning they are pursuing their own agenda.

The students had been protesting on campus since early Wednesday, opposing Israeli military action in Gaza and demanding the school divest from companies they claim 'profit from Israeli apartheid.'