Days after Columbia University’s president testified before Congress, the atmosphere on campus remained fraught on Sunday, shaken by pro-Palestinian protests that have drawn the attention of the police and the concern of some Jewish students. Over the weekend, student-led demonstrations on campus attracted separate, more agitated protests by demonstrators who were unaffiliated with the university. Some of these protests took a dark turn on Saturday evening, leading to the harassment of Jewish students who were targeted with antisemitic vitriol, leaving some fearful for their safety. The acts of antisemitism drew condemnation from the White House and Mayor Eric Adams of New York City.
Jewish students who support the pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus said they felt solidarity rather than a sense of danger, even as they denounced the acts of antisemitism. Reports of antisemitic harassment surfaced on social media over the weekend, including a video showing a masked protester outside the university gates chanting antisemitic remarks. Chabad at Columbia University expressed horror and concern for the physical safety of Jewish students on campus, hiring additional armed guards to chaperone students walking home from their facilities. Meanwhile, Columbia University officials stated that they were committed to ensuring the safety of their students and were providing additional support and resources to maintain a safe environment.
The upheaval on and around the Columbia campus resulted from the university president’s testimony at a congressional hearing on antisemitism, where she vowed to crack down on antisemitism on campus by disciplining professors and students using language that could be antisemitic. The testimony angered academic freedom supporters and emboldened protesting students who had erected an encampment of tents on campus, leading to their arrests. However, the police involvement sparked further uproar, with students continuing their protest despite being asked to leave and some re-erecting tents without permission on Sunday.
There is a wide range of opinion among Jewish students at Columbia, with some supporting the protests in solidarity with Palestine while denouncing antisemitism. While some Jewish students have expressed concerns for the safety of their peers protesting for Palestinians, others have felt targeted and unsafe on campus. The tension has led to heightened security measures on campus, with one rabbi suggesting that Jewish students should leave until the situation improves. In response, Hillel issued a statement calling for increased safety measures on campus and in the city to ensure the well-being of all students.
Despite the differing opinions among Jewish students, there has been a sense of solidarity and activism on campus with various groups coming together to support each other. While some students have experienced antisemitic incidents in the past, the recent escalation has raised concerns about safety and security on campus. As tensions continue to rise, efforts are being made to restore calm and ensure that all students can peacefully coexist on campus. Moving forward, it will be essential for the university and local authorities to address these challenges and create a safe and inclusive environment for all students.
