Outrage as Columbia alum donates $260M to Israeli university in major snub amid campus protests

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: A Columbia University alumnus has donated a staggering $260 million to one of Israel's largest universities in a major snub to his alma mater.

The gift's recipient, public research university Bar-Ilan, identified the benefactor as a "North American Jew and graduate of Columbia University who was active in World War II."

According to a statement issued on Monday, June 3, the donor feels that Bar-Ilan is "best able to undertake the great task of expanding science-based technological resilience in Israel."

Columbia alum donates large sum to Israeli university

According to speculations, the huge donation by the Columbia alum was motivated by his ire at the antisemitic and anti-Israel protests that took over the uptown Ivy League school amid the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The donor chose to remain anonymous but made it clear that he is a graduate of Columbia.

"It's a smack in the face of Columbia. This is just the beginning," said Hank Sheinkopf, a seasoned political consultant, pro-Israel activist, and rabbi, in an interview with The New York Post.

The announcement was also reported by e-JewishPhilanthropy.com.

The donation has sparked speculation about the identity of the ultra-wealthy benefactor. The fact that he served in the Second World War suggests he would be approximately 100 years old.

“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 the donation in a statement.

Zaban added, "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.” 

Still less than $500 million donation to Stony Brook University

According Zaban, the donation will go toward the advancement of "deep tech" sciences and could "positively influence the future of Israel and humanity." The University of Columbia declined to comment.

This is one of the largest donations made to an academic institution.

The late hedge fund tycoon James Simons and his wife Marilyn Simons gave $500 million to Stony Brook University, a part of the public SUNY system, last year.

Internet believes 'one normal person came out of Columbia'

As soon as the news surfaced, internet users were divided over the large donation and the inherent snub to Columbia.

One wrote scathingly, "He should move to Israel as well. This is typical of parasites."

Another user remarked, "Let’s find out who he is and make him regret his decision."

"They all need to leave... traitor," one said about the donator.

While there was a lot of negativity regarding his actions there were supportive voices as well. A user said, "At least one normal person came out of Columbia."

Another user added, "Amazing, let's hope he will be the first of many!"

One commentator suggested, "Donate for scholarships to Israeli universities for Israelis who have finished their IDF service. Not for antisemitic students at antisemitic American schools."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.