Sure, here's a rephrased version of the content:
"Amid escalating tensions surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict, Columbia University shifted classes online as protests erupted at Yale and New York University, resulting in numerous student arrests. Harvard Yard was also closed to the public in response to the unrest. The protests, which began at Columbia with an encampment leading to over 100 student arrests, have sparked concerns for the safety of Jewish students and ignited a national dialogue on student demonstrations.
At New York University, police dispersed a crowd of demonstrators who had defied warnings to vacate a plaza where they had established a Gaza Solidarity Encampment. Demonstrators clashed with officers, and arrests were made following trespassing violations reported by NYU.
Columbia President Minouche Shafik announced that a working group would seek to resolve the crisis by engaging with student protesters. Most classes at Columbia will now be held in a hybrid format for the remainder of the spring semester, except for certain programs. The university cited safety concerns amidst the ongoing unrest over the war in Gaza.
Protests have spread to other universities, with dozens arrested at Yale University and Harvard University closing part of its campus to the public. Protests at Harvard were in solidarity with the Columbia protesters, demanding divestment from enterprises linked to Israel's war effort.
Protests also erupted at the University of California, Berkeley, where students set up tents to demand divestment from corporations supporting Israeli actions in Gaza. The protests have ignited a broader debate on transparency in university investments and calls for divestment from Israel-related investments.
The protests have not been without controversy, as some students and faculty have faced difficulties accessing campuses. Jewish Columbia faculty member Shai Davidai reported being denied entry onto campus, citing safety concerns as a Jewish professor.
The situation has drawn attention from prominent figures, with New England Patriots owner and Columbia alumnus Robert Kraft expressing disappointment in the university's handling of the protests. Kraft called for an end to the protests, stating that he no longer recognizes the institution he once supported.
Amidst the protests, President Joe Biden condemned the rise in antisemitism and called for an end to harassment and violence against Jews. He emphasized the need for peaceful dialogue and respect for human rights on college campuses and across the country."