Columbia University alumnus donates $260 million to Israeli university (2024)

A Columbia grad who was 'active in World War II' has donated $260 million to Israel's Bar-Ilan University.

The anonymous donor's offering is the largest-ever gift received by the institution.

Both gifts were made in the face of fierce pro-Palestine processions that have surfaced across the US over the past several months.

The donation to the Israeli school, again, was made by an unknown figure, who along with the sum, offered only the two identifying factors as to whom he may be.

It will go toward advancements in technology, specifically science research, as person responsible made a point to state he attended the school that has surfaced as a focal point in discourse surrounding the current conflict.

'The donor, a man of broad academic education, believed that the development of Israel’s technological resilience relies primarily on breakthrough science,' Bar-Ilan University President Arie Zaban announced Monday at a board meeting.

'The donor, a man of broad academic education, believed that the development of Israel’s technological resilience relies primarily on breakthrough science,' the 79-year-old Israeli continued.

'During his visits to Israel, he recognized the significant impact Bar-Ilan University has made in key areas thanks to its science-based infrastructure and deep connections to all sectors of Israeli society.

'This gift will be invested in the development of Deep Tech sciences and has the potential to positively influence the future of Israel and humanity.'

The university added in a statement that the donation will be used to recruit researchers seasoned in fields such as 'energy, environment, cryptography, bio-convergence, quantum, AI, and natural language processing,'

'Bar-Ilan will take the lead in building advanced research laboratories,' it continued.

'[It will support] advanced degree students, and creating state-of-the-art innovation hubs.'

Bar-Ilan is one of the largest public research universities in Israel, with some 19,000 students.

Not only did the donor make a point to tell onlookers he fought in a conflict entrenched in antisemitism, but he also reiterated how he graduated from Columbia.

'It’s a smack in the face of Columbia. It’s just the beginning,' added political Hank Sheinkopf, offering the insight to the famously pro Israel New York Post.

The school in Upper Manhattan, meanwhile, has become a focal point of student unrest seen across the US, and the donation appears to indicate dismay over this.

Moreover, The Supreme Leader of Iran- whose Hezbollah has long been viewed as a threat to Israel - thankedUS college studentsfor joining his country's 'resistance' movement against Israel with their recent spate of campus protests,

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei wrote on X later last week. 'Dear university students in the United States of America, you are standing on the right side of history.'

'You have now formed a branch of the Resistance Front and have begun an honorable struggle in the face of your government's ruthless pressure - which openly supports Zionists.'

In an open letter published the next day, the radical Islamist again addressed US students, this time to say: 'Thisis an expression of our empathy and solidarity with you. As the page of history is turning, you are standing on the right side of it.'

The Ayatollah's shocking endorsem*nt stunned many, considering Supreme Leader's abhorrent human rights track record.

Just this month, Iran executed three men who participated in anti-government protests, adding to the four who have already been hanged since late last year as part of the regime's response to demonstrations against the Islamic Republic.

Also this month,comedian Jerry Seinfeld, 70, was met with a a mix of cheers and boos before flag-waving students marched out of the Wallace Wade Stadium event on Sunday.

They were opposed to Seinfeld appearing due to his pro-Israel views, after which TheNorth Carolinaschool issued a statement to DailyMail.com in the aftermath.

'We’re excited and delighted for the Class of 2024 and their families,' Frank Tramble, vice president for marketing, communications and public affairs at Duke said.

'We understand the depth of feeling in our community, and as we have all year, we respect the right of everyone at Duke to express their views peacefully, without preventing graduates and their families from celebrating their achievement.'

A few days earlier, President Joe Bidencompared the actions of Hamas to those of the Nazis and condemned the 'ferocious surge of antisemitism' rising up around America.

'I have not forgotten, nor have you, and we will not forget,' the president said during remarks at a Holocaust remembrance ceremony at the U.S. Capitol.

'As Jews around the world still cope with the atrocities and trauma of that day and its aftermath, we've seen a ferocious surge of antisemitism in America and around the world,' he noted.

Biden's speech on Capitol Hill on Tuesday came as hetries to balance his support for Israel's war with concern for the citizens of Gazaand amid tension in his relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netnayahu.

He spoke as Israel sent tanks into Rafah and took control of the Gaza side of a crossing to Egyptthat is a major conduit for humanitarian aid, and as college campuses continue to be rocked by pro-Palestinian protests,

Some - including Columbia - have cancelled commencements and entire graduations, with the Ivy league school electing to do the latter in May

The president, in a forceful speech greeted with several rounds of applause, vowed to support Israel's right to exist 'even when we disagree.'

He began his remarks by tracing the rise of Adolf Hitler in Nazi Germany in 1933, noting the dictator rose to 'power by rekindling one of the world's oldest forms of prejudice and hate- antisemitism' through propaganda and economic hardship.

'We recommit to heading the lessons of one of the darkest chapters in human history, revitalize and realize the responsibility of never again,' he noted.

And, he pointed out, 'the truth is, we're at risk of people not knowing the truth.'

'Now, here we are not 75. years later, but just seven and a half months later,' he added in reference to the October 7th attack on Israel by Hamas - the deadliestday for Jews since the Holocaust

'People are already forgetting - already forgetting - that Hamas unleashed this terror,' he said and vowed: 'I have not forgotten nor have you. And we will not forget.'