Anti-Semitic and anti-Zionist messages proliferated on the university platform, exacerbated by the laconic response of much of the management
In the heart of New York City, Columbia University, a venerable institution, has long been recognized for its rigorous teaching. However, despite its strong reputation, a storm is brewing, particularly for its Jewish and Israeli communities.
The recent Hamas terrorist attack on Israel has not only shaken the geopolitical situation but also caused a disturbing atmosphere on the Columbia campus, especially for those with ties to Israel. Columbia is often considered one of the most anti-Israeli campuses in the United States. The recent conflict has exacerbated this hostility, revealing a deeply disturbing undercurrent of anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism that permeates both the student body and faculty. Although Columbia hosts a large Jewish and Israeli community, including many Israeli army veterans in its school of general studies, the reaction to the recent conflict has been discouraging at best. In Columbia’s unofficial chat groups, anti-Semitic messages have increased since the day of the attack, ranging from vile messages wishing harm to Israeli soldiers to images and videos intended to intimidate Jewish students. Tangible fear has engulfed the Jewish community, with incidents such as mezuzahs being torn from doors and contacts with the administration to address palpable concerns about the safety of Jewish students amid this surge of anti-Semitism.
Courtesy: Steven S.Screenshot taken from the Columbia University app for studentsCourtesy: Steven S.Screenshot from a Whatsapp group chat among Columbia University students.
The position of the faculty has also been a source of concern. While a handful of professors have been supportive, a large portion of them appear to adhere to Columbia’s anti-Israel culture. Some professors have even been heard justifying Hamas terrorist attacks as a “struggle for basic human rights,” while others have ignored students’ calls during this tumultuous time. One student complained: “Columbia is competitive and the pressure is high, the war in Israel falls during midterms and we feel little to no support from our teachers.”
Courtesy: Steven S.Screenshot of an email sent by a Columbia University lecturer notifying students of the prepared discussion following Hamas’s attack on Israeli civilians on Saturday.
Statements from deans of several of Columbia’s 17 schools have been particularly lukewarm and noncommittal. Joseph Sorett, dean of Columbia College, neutrally described the Hamas attack and Israel’s response as “the events in Israel and Gaza.” Gillian Lester, dean of Columbia Law School, spoke of “the violence that erupted in Israel and Gaza this past weekend,” and Minouche Shafik, the new president, acknowledged “the horrific attack on Israel this weekend -end and the violence that followed. However, one thing was conspicuous by its absence: aside from the dean of the School of General Studies – home to the largest Israeli population at Columbia – no member of the leadership condemned Hamas for its terrorist attacks against Israel.
Courtesy: Steven S.Statement released by Dean of Columbia College Josef Sorrett following Hamas’s attack on Saturday.
The president of Columbia’s Students Supporting Israel (SSI) expressed the frustration and heartbreak of many: “We are calling on our administration to do better to support our Jewish students. […] It’s heartbreaking to see our administration doing the bare minimum to ensure our community is supported.” In the face of adversity, pro-Israel and Jewish organizations on campus have demonstrated commendable proactivity by organizing vigils, protests, rallies and document-drops to foster unity and counter misinformation. The Jewish community has mobilized daily since Saturday, with several organizations working tirelessly to ensure the truth is expressed loud and clear.
As nearly a thousand students gathered for a vigil in front of the main library, the determination was clear: “We are doing everything we can to support our brothers and sisters in Israel. We are raising funds and making donations to the units of our peers and colleagues at Columbia who have returned to fight,” says Columbia ISS President.
The Jewish community’s concern for its safety is not unfounded. On Wednesday, an Israeli student was physically attacked by a pro-Palestinian student on campus, and the attacker was arrested by campus police.
On Thursday, Students for Justice for Palestine held a large rally for “Resistance Day.” The Jewish community decided to organize a silent counter-protest. The university took the unprecedented step of closing campus to non-affiliates for the entire day, a move that demonstrates serious concern for public safety.
Courtesy: Steven S.Student participants of the group Jews for Palestine hold a meeting on the Columbia University campus, New York.
At a time when unity and support are paramount, the question remains: Will Columbia University rise to the occasion and provide the necessary support and condemnation of anti-Semitism, or its communities Will Jews and Israelis continue to navigate this difficult path alone?
2023-10-18 18:12:03
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