New England Patriots team owner Robert Kraft made a bold statement on Monday night, expressing his shock and dismay at the rise of hate and vitriol against Jewish people in the United States. Kraft, who announced that he is withdrawing support for his alma mater Columbia University, appeared on Fox News Channel’s “Hannity” to discuss his decision.
In his interview, Kraft shared, “I’d never thought I’d see in America – what’s happening right now. And it really pains me to see. We have our holiday going on right now, it goes back to memories of thousands of years ago where negative things were happening, and the same is happening now in this great country that offered so many opportunities to our families who came here as immigrants.”
Kraft emphasized the importance of standing up against hate and intimidation, stating, “Look at America, we’ve done research, and it shows 90% of the people in this country are good people. They just have to be educated, and we can’t have them apathetic or misguided. We have to let them know, and they have to stand up and not be silent.”
The Patriots owner also highlighted the need to support all marginalized groups, not just the Jewish community, as hatred and intimidation can impact the fabric of the country. He expressed his disappointment in the current state of affairs at Columbia University, where he believes professors are influencing young minds instead of teaching them how to think.
Despite pulling support for the university, Kraft mentioned that he still stands behind the Kraft Center, which serves as a hub for Jewish life at Columbia.
Kraft’s powerful words shed light on the concerning trend of rising antisemitism and the importance of unity and education in combating hate. As a prominent figure in the sports world, his stance on this issue carries significant weight and serves as a call to action for all to stand against discrimination and intolerance.
