Columbia University, a prestigious institution in New York, has been facing criticism over its handling of pro-Palestinian protests on campus. Face-to-face classes were cancelled and dozens of students were arrested for setting up a tent camp advocating for the liberation of Gaza. The protests have been escalating at elite universities across the US, with many condemning the rise of anti-Semitism at Columbia.
In response to these events, Shafik, the president of Columbia University, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to upholding regulations that prohibit hate speech and discrimination against Jewish individuals. She also pledged to review the employment terms of lecturers involved in the pro-Palestinian movement at the university. The need for diverse and respectful discourse is emphasized within the academic community as tensions continue to rise.
Professor Shay Davidai expressed his frustration on Twitter after being banned from entering the university while pro-Hamas protesters were allowed to demonstrate. In his tweet, he addressed Mr. Cass Holloway, a key figure at the university, and emphasized his belief that Holloway knew he was in the right, despite the ban.