Robert Kraft’s Foundation to Combat Antisemitism (FCAS) took out full-page ads in several newspapers last week – featuring a heartfelt letter by the billionaire Patriots owner.
“As a graduate of Columbia University, I am deeply saddened by the hate and polarization taking place today on a campus I love so much,” Kraft wrote, after he already pulled support for his alma mater last month amid unrest at the school.
A mob of anti-Israel demonstrators at the Ivy League institution in NYC illegally took over Columbia’s Hamilton Hall academic building and had an encampment on the school’s iconic lawn.
The “blue square” campaign by Kraft’s foundation has been supported by stars including Tom Brady. Getty Images The NFL luminary has pulled his support from Columbia University. Getty ImagesExplore More
“I am appalled that this hate has only continued to rise and has spawned growing levels of physical intimidation and threats of violence that have taken over college and university campuses across our country,” Kraft’s message via his foundation’s ad continued.
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“I believe political issues can be, and most importantly, should be debated. They should be debated vigorously. But vicious hate speech and physical intimidation, preventing others from feeling safe, pursuing their studies, or having their voices heard is completely unacceptable.”
Kraft says violent protestors should be “held accountable.” AP The organization’s symbol has been the blue square pin. WireImageThe NFL luminary, 82, also argued that “shouting vile, hate filled labels at students while hiding behind masks is not free speech — it is cowardice,” and said that the protestors at Columbia and other schools should be “held accountable.”
Meanwhile, mayor Eric Adams has also addressed the protests at Columbia and other New York City schools.
“One way to prevent the costs from escalating is to have a zero tolerance,” he explained to FOX5. “As soon as the tents go up, it comes down. Do not allow this to continue to expand. That is what we saw at Columbia University [and other campuses].”
The new ad is part of the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism’s “Stand Up to Jewish Hate” campaign. Getty Images The campaign has also been supported by Mike Tyson, Dave Matthews and Jon Bon Jovi, among others. Getty ImagesKraft’s latest print ad appeared after his foundation had recently launched TV ads during the Academy Awards and the Super Bowl.
The Oscars spot showed the true story of a teen boy whose bar mitzvah was interrupted by a bomb threat to a Jewish temple in Boston, Mass., last year – and how a local church stepped up to support the boy’s family and help them at a difficult time.
The ad is part of the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism’s $25 million “Stand Up to Jewish Hate” campaign.
The foundation’s “blue square” campaign was launched over a year ago as a “symbol of standing up to Jewish hate and all hate.”
It has been supported by stars including Tom Brady, Mike Tyson, Dave Matthews and Jon Bon Jovi, among others.
Kraft explained in his letter, “The mission of the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism is to build empathy among all Americans, young and old, as a way to fight the rising hate in our country.”
