Columbia University President Nemat Shafik has taken a hard line against antisemitism on campus, suspending 15 students and placing six more on probation as part of her crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism. During a congressional hearing last week, Shafik readily agreed with Republicans that anti-Jewish bigotry is prevalent in such activism at Columbia and explained the steps her administration is taking to combat it. She also announced that Visiting Scholar Mohamed Abdou, who expressed support for Hamas, Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad, will no longer be employed by the university and that several other faculty members are under investigation. In addition, Shafik pledged to remove Professor Joseph Massad, a vocal anti-Zionist, from his position as chair of an academic review committee. While Shafik’s efforts appeared to appease the Republican-led panel, protests continued on campus, and GOP pressure mounted for her resignation. Columbia’s Board of Trustees, including chairs Claire Shipman and David Greenwald, and former Law School Dean David Schizer, who co-chairs the university’s antisemitism task force, joined Shafik at the hearing. The board announced plans to restrict student protests, designating specific areas for chanting to protect those who wish to avoid such demonstrations. In response to questions about disciplinary action against students chanting anti-Zionist slogans, Shafik confirmed ongoing cases. Critics of the congressional hearings, however, express concern about the potential suppression of anti-Israel speech and activism. They argue that while antisemitism should not be tolerated, Congress should not intervene in universities’ handling of debates over ideology. The hearings have raised alarm about the chilling effect on academic freedom, as evidenced by the University of Southern California’s cancellation of its valedictorian’s graduation speech due to her pro-Palestinian social media activity. During the hearing, Republican lawmakers made controversial statements, including invoking biblical passages and equating diversity, equity, and inclusion statements to Nazi loyalty oaths. The politically charged atmosphere has escalated tensions at Columbia, with the administration’s decision to call in police to dismantle a “Gaza solidarity encampment” and arrest over 100 people drawing wide criticism. Legal scholar Katherine Franke, who was coordinating legal defense for the arrested students, expressed dismay, stating, “It breaks my heart.” Among those suspended was Isra Hirsi, the daughter of Rep. Ilhan Omar, who serves on the committee overseeing the antisemitism inquiry. Republican Nathaniel Moran praised Columbia’s leadership for taking action, suggesting they had learned from the “magnificent failures” of other universities that appeared before the panel earlier.
Columbia University’s President Cracks Down on Antisemitism, Faces GOP Pressure to Resign
