Jewish Students at Columbia University Express Concerns Over Campus Atmosphere

Jewish Students at Columbia University Express Concerns Over Campus Atmosphere

Published on November 1, 2023

Jewish students at Columbia University in New York City have voiced their concerns about the campus atmosphere, citing a lack of education on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and rising incidents of antisemitism. The students expressed these concerns during a press conference held in response to threats and attacks targeting Jewish students.

Eli Shmidman, the vice president of the Jewish Law Students Association chapter, emphasized the need for a better understanding of the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He pointed out that some students, driven by the desire for social justice, can be influenced by “bad faith actors” who promote misinformation, such as false claims regarding events like the Israeli music festival massacre on October 7.

Shmidman described the situation as “fearful, frightening, disheartening, and devastating.” He expressed how many Jewish students feel uncomfortable attending classes, knowing that some fellow students may harbor hostility or hold prejudiced views against them.

Incident and Response:

• The concerns raised by Jewish students follow an attack on a student, “I.A.,” who objected to a woman tearing down posters of Hamas kidnapping victims on campus. The suspect reportedly assaulted “I.A.” with a stick and has since been arrested by the NYPD.
• A group of Columbia deans acknowledged the “extremely charged” atmosphere in an email to students, expressing concern about the antisemitic attack. They called for a recommitment to unity despite differences.
• “I.A.” suffered a broken finger in the attack.

Columbia University deans, Shih-Fu Chang, Lisa Rosen-Metsch, and Josef Sorett, acknowledged the “extremely charged” atmosphere on campus in an email to students. They condemned the antisemitic attack and called for unity and understanding across differences.

Call for Better Education:

• Shmidman says professors need to do a better job of teaching the bigger picture to students. They should help students understand the differences between Hamas and Palestinian civilians, and not mix up a terrorist attack with a military conflict.

Faculty Response and Student Concerns:

• Some professors at Columbia signed a letter supporting students who back Hamas. This worries students like Noa Fay, who thinks false information is spreading and that students need more education and thinking skills.
• She’s disappointed to see adults signing such statements and believes that professors need to be more responsible.
• Fay emphasizes that there are clear facts about what Hamas has done and that trying to show both sides equally is flawed.

Shmidman and other students called on the university to take a stronger stance and provide better education to students about the broader context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, differentiating between Hamas and Palestinian civilians, and understanding the complexities of a military conflict.

In a separate context, Columbia student Noa Fay criticized a statement signed by about 100 Columbia professors defending students who support Hamas. Fay expressed concern over the rise of antisemitism on campus and highlighted the need for better education and critical thinking skills.

Wider Concerns:

• The problem isn’t limited to Columbia University. There have been antisemitic threats at other schools too. The police have detained a person for questioning at Cornell University.
• New York’s Governor Kathy Hochul promises to do everything possible to find those who made threats of violence and antisemitism on campus.

The concerns and calls for action by Jewish students at Columbia University are part of a larger issue of campus climate and growing antisemitism that’s affecting other schools as well.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul pledged to take action in response to threats and antisemitic violence on campuses in the state, promising to find and hold perpetrators accountable.

Also Read: Israeli Airstrikes Hit Gaza Refugee Camp, Hamas Commander killed