Columbia University President Testifies on Anti-Semitism and Israel-Hamas Conflict Amid Protests

Four months after a controversial congressional hearing led to the resignation of the presidents of two prestigious American universities, the president of Columbia University will appear before the same committee to talk about anti-Semitism and her school’s response your conflict about the Israel-Hamas war.

Nemat Shafik, Columbia’s president, was scheduled to appear with other university officials before the Commission on Education and the Workforce in December, but was unable to attend due to other commitments.

Hours before Wednesday’s hearing, several anti-Palestinian students protested on the university’s New York City campus. Among the organizers are two groups previously suspended by Columbia for holding unauthorized protests: Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace.

The protest could fuel Republican protests by taking place outside of hours established under new rules approved by Columbia in February. At a news conference before Shafik’s appearance, Republican legislator Virginia Foxx said: “There is activity this morning on campus that should not be allowed.”

Foxx and Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik met with Jewish students at Columbia who have reportedly been victims of threats and physical confrontations. They described how his Star of David necklace was ripped off by a student and how other students harassed them, telling them “The Holocaust wasn’t a big deal.”

Stefanik said Republicans will make sure Columbia is held accountable for failing to protect its students.

“Despite claims to the contrary, Columbia’s leadership refuses to enforce its own policies and condemns anti-Jewish hatred on campus, creating a breeding ground for anti-Semitism and support for terrorism from staff and students.”

The hearing in December included testimony from the presidents of Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, whose mixed responses sparked outrage and sparked weeks of controversy. The Chancellors of Pennsylvania and Harvard resigned soon after.

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