Columbia University students will attend classes virtually on Monday as school officials hope to de-escalate tensions on the New York City campus after pro-Palestinian demonstrations led to mass arrests last week.

In a statement on Monday, Columbia president Nemat Minouche Shafik said the university was cancelling in-person classes on Monday while denouncing antisemitic language and intimidating and harassing behaviour that she said had occurred on campus recently.

“These tensions have been exploited and amplified by individuals who are not affiliated with Columbia who have come to campus to pursue their agendas,” Shafik said. “We need a reset.” More than 100 pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested on Thursday on the campus after Shafik authorised New York police to clear an encampment set up by students.

Elie Buechler, an Orthodox rabbi at Columbia University and its affiliate Barnard College, told students in an online message that campus and city police cannot guarantee the safety of Jewish students. “It deeply pains me to say that I would strongly recommend you return home as soon as possible and remain home.”