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Who is Henry Swieca? Jewish billionaire resigns from Board of Columbia Business School over 'blatantly anti-Jewish student groups'

In a letter sent to his alma mater, 66-year-old Henry Swieca expressed his deep regret at the university's perceived moral cowardice in the protests

NEW YORK CITY: Renowned philanthropist and Wall Street veteran Henry Swieca recently resigned from the board of Columbia Business School, citing concerns over the university's acceptance of what he deems as "blatantly anti-Jewish student groups."

In a letter sent to his alma mater on October 30, the 66-year-old billionaire expressed his deep regret at the university's perceived moral cowardice in addressing the issue, stating that it not only renders Jews unwelcome but also unsafe on campus, as per Daily Mail.

Henry Swieca highlights presence of anti-Jewish student groups and professors

Swieca's decision to step down comes in the wake of student protests during the Israel-Hamas war. In his letter, he highlighted the troubling presence of anti-Jewish student groups and professors operating without consequences, asserting that this compromises the reputation and integrity of Columbia University.

Swieca emphasized that his resignation serves as an expression of his profound concern for the university's current trajectory.

"With blatantly anti-Jewish student groups and professors allowed to operate with complete impunity, it sends a clear and distressing message that Jews are not just unwelcome, but also unsafe on campus. To my deep regret, the reputation and integrity of Columbia University, and by extension Columbia Business School, have been significantly compromised by a moral cowardice that appears beyond repair. My resignation is an expression of my deep concern for the direction in which the university is heading," Swieca wrote in the letter.

Henry Swieca calls Columbia University's remarks condemning Hamas' attacks 'meaningless'

Columbia University President Minouche Shafik's commendation of students accused of antisemitism and supporting Hamas has further fueled the controversy.

Shafik praised the "persistence" of these students and announced the creation of a 'Doxing Resource Group' to support those facing targeting for expressing their positions.

"We are grateful for the persistence and perseverance of the students, and their families, in the face of this harassment," said Shafik.

Swieca criticized the university's statements condemning Hamas' attacks as "meaningless" due to its allowance of "pro-Hamas students" to protest on campus.

Henry Swieca's resignation highlights growing impact of geopolitical conflicts on campuses

The issue at Columbia reflects broader tensions at prestigious US universities concerning pro-Palestine protests following Hamas attacks in early October. Students for Justice in Palestine at Columbia issued a statement characterizing Hamas' actions as a "counter-offensive against their settler-colonial oppressor," sparking outrage and replicating similar scenes across the nation.

Donors, including billionaire investor Leon Cooperman, have threatened to withdraw funding, and some students faced job offer rescissions for publicly supporting Hamas.

The situation at Columbia has escalated, with anti-Israel protests and violent incidents on campus, including an Israeli student reportedly beaten by a teenager removing posters of Jewish hostages taken by Hamas.

The university's response has been divided, with over 100 staff members supporting Students for Justice in Palestine and another 300 signing a letter condemning colleagues for justifying Hamas' terror attack.

Swieca, a son of Holocaust survivors, had been a member of Columbia Business School's Board of Overseers since 2014. His resignation reportedly highlights the growing impact of geopolitical conflicts on university campuses, where ideological differences escalate into tangible consequences for students, faculty, and donors alike.