On Tuesday, Columbia University told FOX Business that it is “grateful” for “years of generosity and service” after the New England Patriots team owner announced he is pulling financial support to his alma mater.
On Monday, Robert Kraft, through a statement released by his philanthropic organization Foundation to Combat Antisemitism, said he is “deeply saddened at the virulent hate that continues to grow on campus and throughout our country” and that he is no longer “comfortable supporting the university until corrective action is taken.”
Dozens of anti-Israel activists began protesting last week creating an encampment on the main lawn on campus in protest of Israel’s war against Hamas. The fiery protests went into the night with students calling for the death of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
When asked to respond to his remarks Tuesday, a Columbia spokesperson told FOX Business that “Columbia is grateful to Mr. Kraft for his years of generosity and service to Columbia.”
“This is a time of crisis for many members of our community and we are focused on providing the support they need while keeping our campus safe,” the spokesperson added.
Another top donor to Columbia, billionaire investor and Omega Advisors CEO Leon Cooperman, told the New York Post that he would pause donations to the Ivy League institution.
Omega Advisors did not immediately respond to a request for comment from FOX Business on Tuesday, but Cooperman told FOX Business last October that “These kids at the colleges have s— for brains.”
“We have one reliable ally in the Middle East. That’s Israel. We only have one democracy in the Middle East. That’s Israel. And we have one economy tolerant of different people, gays, lesbians, etc. That’s Israel. So they have no idea what these young kids are doing,” Cooperman said during an appearance on ‘The Claman Countdown.’
“Now, the real shame is, I’ve given to Columbia probably about $50 million over many years,” he continued. “And I’m going to suspend my giving. I’ll give my giving to other organizations.”
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