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FIRST ON FOX – House Republican Conference Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., accused Columbia University President Dr. Nemat "Minouche" Shafik of attempting to "cover-up" for a "pro-terrorist" professor who had celebrated nan Oct. 7 attacks, during her legislature grounds this week.
"A reminder to President Shafik that knowingly misleading Congress is simply a felony," Stefanik warned successful a connection shared first pinch Fox News Digital. "Despite Columbia President Shafik’s testimony, location has been NO action to occurrence aliases subject pro-terrorist and antisemitic module chair Professor Joseph Massad."
"Columbia has attempted to screen up for Shafik’s lies updating their website to show Massad arsenic ‘outgoing chair’ but garbage to instantly region him contempt Shafik committing to astatine nan hearing," Stefanik continued. "Meanwhile, Massad claims nary 1 from nan University has moreover spoken to him astir his hateful statements aliases immoderate investigation."
"Shafik’s mendacious grounds and refusal to reside nan severity of nan rampant antisemitism connected her field is an affront to nan Jewish students and module astatine Columbia nether her grounded leadership," she said.
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Stefanik and different House Republicans hammered Shafik during Wednesday's House Education and nan Workforce Committee proceeding to talk pervasive antisemitism astatine nan Ivy League school, demanding to cognize what consequences, if any, Professor Joseph Massad faced aft penning an article praising nan Oct. 7 attacks successful confederate Israel by Hamas militants arsenic "awesome," "astonishing," "astounding" and "incredible."
Republican Conference Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., questions Columbia University president Nemat Shafik astatine nan House Committee connected Education and nan Workforce proceeding successful Washington, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)
Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Mich., asserted that Massad's portion glorified Hamas' slaughter of astir 1,200 Jews.
Asked whether Massad faced immoderate disciplinary action, Shafik testified that nan professor had been "spoken to" by nan caput of his section of Middle Eastern, South Asian and African Studies and his dean. Though nan assemblage president said she was had not been a portion of those discussions, Shafik said to Congress that Massad was told that nan connection he utilized successful his article "was unacceptable."
But Massad's statements to CNN aft nan legislature proceeding contradicted Shafik's testimony.
"I was shown solidarity by my chair and deans based connected nan decease threats that I received and nan run targeting me," he reportedly told CNN Thursday regarding anterior talks.
Columbia University President Nemat Shafik testifies earlier nan House Committee connected Education and nan Workforce, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
"No 1 has contacted maine astatine each from nan assemblage pinch regards to my existent chairmanship," he added, saying that nan truth that he was nether investigation by nan schoolhouse was "news" he learned done nan hearing.
Fox News Digital reached retired to Columbia University for remark Friday but did not instantly perceive back.
Shafik initially testified that Massad was nary longer chair of nan School of Arts and Sciences Academic Review Committee and that he "does not person a activity role," but Stefanik later challenged why nan tenured professor remained listed arsenic chair connected nan university's website.
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Shafik recanted, telling Congress that she needed to cheque whether Massad was still chair of nan committee, which oversees nan periodic reappraisal of each departments, centers and institutes astatine nan school.
"You stated that Professor Massad was nary longer chair. Then you stated he’s nether investigation. He is still chair connected nan website. So, has he been terminated arsenic chair?" nan congresswoman asked.
Police return information measures arsenic demonstrators stitchery extracurricular Columbia University to support nan students' "Gaza Solidarity Encampment" demanding divestment from Israel successful New York City connected April 17, 2024. (Selcuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Shafik said she wanted "to corroborate nan facts earlier getting backmost to you," and Stefanik acknowledged that nan assemblage president did corroborate that Massad was nether investigation for alleged discrimination.
"Did you corroborate he was still nan chair?" Stefanik asked.
"I request to corroborate that pinch you. I want to – I request to check," Shafik said.
Stefanik pressed, "Well, fto maine inquire you this: Will you make nan committedness to region him arsenic chair?
"I deliberation that would beryllium – I deliberation I would, yes. Let maine travel backmost pinch yes. But I deliberation I conscionable want to corroborate his existent position earlier I reply," Shafik told nan committee, to which Stefanik replied, "We’ll return that arsenic a yes, that you will corroborate that he will nary longer beryllium chair."
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Massad reportedly told CNN connected Thursday that he intends to stay a personnel of nan committee adjacent twelvemonth for a three-year term. CNN besides highlighted really Massad is an outgoing chair because of word limits, meaning that he would beryllium leaving nan activity domiciled successful a matter of weeks anyhow without immoderate disciplinary action.
Danielle Wallace is simply a newsman for Fox News Digital covering politics, crime, constabulary and more. Story tips tin beryllium sent to danielle.wallace@fox.com and connected Twitter: @danimwallace.
