Mast on Columbia's Anti-Israel Protests: Higher Institutions Have 'Fallen'

Representative Brian Mast (R-FL) called out Columbia University amidst the anti-Israel protests that occurred Sunday on the South Lawn near the school’s Butler Library. Rep. Mast declared that America’s Ivy League institutions have “fallen.”

“This isn’t Damascus, Tehran, or Tripoli. It’s the campus of an Ivy League university in the largest city in America. Our higher education institutions have fallen to far-left, antisemitic radicals,” said Rep. Mast.

Additionally, the Florida congressman believes the school is not working with law enforcement to protect Jewish students to the best of their ability.

“Jewish students at Columbia are being urged to FLEE for their SAFETY as an antisemitic mob rages on the campus. This is UNACCEPTABLE. America is a beacon of religious freedom. Columbia University must work with law enforcement to ensure the safety of all Jewish students,” said Mast.

Finally, Mast provided a prediction of likely employment options for the students engaging in the hostile discourse on campus at Columbia.

“The same Columbia students chanting "Death to America" will wind up in positions of influence within our institutions because of their Ivy League degrees,” said Mast. “They'll be crafting opinion at the New York Times and even policy in the White House. That should disturb us all.”

Earlier this month, the Florida congressman blasted President Joe Biden (D) for wanting to work toward a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. He called it an “appeasement” to the left wing of the Democratic Party.

“Joe Biden is trying to appease far-left lunatics by demanding Israel accept a ceasefire with terrorists,” said Rep. Mast. “Yet again, Biden is putting lives at risk in a desperate attempt to boost his poll numbers. We cannot abandon our best ally in the Middle East.”

In a similar breath, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) questioned the notion of the President asking Israel to push for a ceasefire, not Hamas.

“The president’s ultimatums should be going to Hamas, not Israel. Hamas resisted a ceasefire, brought about needless bloodshed, and refuses to release Israeli and American hostages. Biden should not undercut our ally amidst an existential threat by conditioning our support,” said Speaker Johnson.

This is a developing story.