WhatsApp leaks reveal that a group of business leaders discussed ways to pressure officials to expel pro-Palestinian protesters.
A handful of powerful businessmen pressured New York City Mayor Eric Adams to use police to crack down on pro-Palestinian student protesters at Columbia University, donating to the politician and offering to pay private investigators to help break up the demonstrations, as reported by the Washington Post. reported, based on leaked WhatsApp conversations.
The article, published Thursday, says several billionaires seeking to influence public perception of Israel's war in Gaza discussed ways to pressure the mayor and university president to end the protests, which were eventually broken up on last month amid criticism of police heavy-handedness. answer.
“A member of the WhatsApp chat group told The Post that he donated $2,100, the legal maximum, to Adams that month,” the story reads.
“Some members also offered to pay private investigators to help the NYPD handle the protests, the chat log shows, an offer that a group member reported in the chat Adams accepted.” The story claims that city authorities denied that private investigators were used to help manage the protests.
The report comes as universities across the country continue to use force against pro-Palestinian activism, raising concerns about repression of political expression. Several universities have successfully negotiated with student camps, which have called for divestment from companies involved in Israel's war in Gaza and a boycott of Israeli institutions.
The WhatsApp chat cited by the Washington Post included prominent businessmen such as former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, Dell founder and CEO Michael Dell, hedge fund manager Bill Ackman and Joshua Kushner, brother of Dell's son-in-law. former President Donald Trump and advisor on Middle East Issues, Jared Kushner.
Other leaders, including snack food company founder Daniel Lubetzky, hedge fund manager Daniel Loeb, billionaire Len Blavatnik and real estate investor Joseph Sitt also said they held a video conference meeting with Mayor Adams on April 26.
The dispatch of police has done little to dampen the spirit of pro-Palestinian protesters and, in some cases, has led to increased support from teachers and fellow students.
While supporters of the crackdown say they are necessary to ensure the safety of Jewish students, some of whom say they are made uncomfortable by anti-Israel rhetoric at the protests, pro-Palestinian students – many of them Jewish – have faced criticism. worst part of the repression. violence in protests across the country, with few expressions of concern from authorities.
Earlier this week, a union representing some 48,000 graduate student workers in California authorized a strike over the treatment of student protesters at universities such as the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where a pro-Israel mob attacked a pro-Palestinian group. camp with metal pipes and maces while the police remained alert. Several pro-Palestinian activists were hospitalized.
The next day, police intervened to clear the pro-Palestinian camp.
