Columbia University President, Minouche Shafik, faced a congressional grilling over antisemitism on campus, lasting nearly four hours. Unlike her predecessors who faced similar questioning in December, Shafik was better prepared to address certain issues, such as whether calls for the genocide of Jews violate university rules. She and her colleagues unequivocally stated that such calls would violate the code of conduct at Columbia. However, Shafik struggled to give clear answers on specific issues, giving her critics more ammunition for criticism.
One specific issue that Shafik had difficulty addressing was whether chants like “from the river to the sea” or “long live the intifada” qualify as antisemitic comments. Initially finding such comments offensive, Shafik later agreed that they could be considered antisemitic after co-chair of Columbia’s task force on antisemitism, David Schizer, indicated so. Shafik also addressed the disciplining of professors, indicating that faculty who make remarks crossing the line in terms of antisemitism will face consequences. However, she walked back on removing a professor from a chairmanship of an academic committee, though confirmed he was under investigation for discriminatory remarks.
Shafik also mentioned that a professor who expressed support for Hamas on social media will never teach at Columbia again, and another professor is under investigation for harassment. These actions come after criticism from the professors themselves, with one calling Shafik a “coward” for not quieting “pro-terror” voices on campus. Despite these actions, some professors are under investigation for their social media behavior which they feel is unjust.
Complex issues related to antisemitism on campus are not trivial matters for Columbia students, with some accusing the university leaders of not taking action against the rise of antisemitism, harassment, intimidation, and threats of violence on campus. Shafik acknowledged during the hearing that Columbia officials will not tolerate such behaviors, but also recognized that there is more work to be done to balance protecting free speech with ensuring all students feel safe on campus. The hearing shed light on the challenges faced by universities in addressing and preventing instances of antisemitism while upholding principles of academic freedom.
