Columbia University President Minouche Shafik has been accused of antisemitism and ignoring campus radicalism by allowing pro-Palestinian protesters to occupy a building on campus. The protesters have grown in number and openly support Hamas, and have made threats against Jewish students.
Shafik has responded by going all-remote, penalizing students whose tuition was supposed to pay for in-person education. She has also banned a pro-Israel professor from entering the campus, citing safety concerns.
Critics say that Shafik is putting the protesters’ safety above the safety of other students and faculty, and that she is allowing the protesters to silence dissenting voices. They are calling for her to resign, along with other university leaders who have not stood up for civilization against mob rule.
The situation at Columbia University is a reminder of the growing problem of antisemitism on college campuses. In recent years, there have been numerous incidents of anti-Semitic harassment and violence on campuses across the country. This has led to a climate of fear and intimidation for Jewish students, who often feel like they are not welcome on their own campuses.
The Columbia University administration must take action to address the antisemitism on its campus. They must protect Jewish students from harassment and intimidation, and they must hold the pro-Palestinian protesters accountable for their actions. If they do not, the campus will continue to be a hostile environment for Jewish students, and the university will lose its credibility as an institution of higher learning.
