The alumni have called on the university administration to take action and "do their job."
Matt Schweber, a member of the newly formed Columbia University Jewish Alumni Association, expressed his shock and disappointment at the current state of affairs. "Who could have ever imagined that Columbia University would be the site for rallies calling for Intifada, for swastikas scrawled on campus property and for Jewish students to be intimidated and followed as they walk home from class," he said. Schweber's statement, provided to The Post, ended with a firm call to action: "Our message today: enough is enough. It must be stopped. The administration must do their job."
The alumni association also shared a video of an unauthorized rally on campus last week, where hundreds of anti-Israel protesters were heard chanting “intifada, intifada!” and “From the River to the Sea, Palestine Will be Free!” Critics argue that the latter phrase implies the eradication of the Jewish State of Israel. Some protesters were seen holding BDS signs, representing the boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement against Israel.
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Michael Oren, a Columbia alum and former Israeli ambassador to the United States (2009-2013), shared his insights from a recent roundtable with Columbia and UPenn students. "All the UPenn kids said yes. All the Columbia kids said no," Oren said, referring to whether students would still choose their respective schools in light of recent events. "This shows the situation is bad, but not hopeless. If UPenn can implement real change, Columbia can too," he added.
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The issue of antisemitism on campus has been a hot topic in recent times. Former Penn President Liz Magill resigned last December following her controversial congressional testimony on the subject. The US Department of Education is currently investigating Columbia over complaints of antisemitism.
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Bryan Rudolph, a co-founder of the Columbia Jewish Alumni Association, emphasized the need for unity among Jewish alumni to combat the issue. "Jewish Alumni at Columbia University must come together to help stop what is happening on campus because, as we have found, the administration either can’t or won’t stop the calls for violence," he said. Rudolph also highlighted the importance of diversity and the dangers of exclusion, stating, "The greatness of any academic institution lies in its commitment to diversity of thought and its unwavering stand against bigotry."
Columbia University recently suspended four students indefinitely and evicted them from their dorms for their alleged involvement in an unauthorized event on March 24, titled "Resistance 101." The event was hosted by Barakat, identified as a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a group listed as a terrorist organization by the US.
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In response to the allegations, a Columbia University representative insisted that the institution is committed to combating bigotry. "Antisemitism is antithetical to Columbia’s values. We are using every available tool to keep our community safe and that includes protecting our Jewish students from antisemitic discrimination or harassment," the spokesperson said.
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Columbia's President, Minouche Shafik, issued a statement last week condemning an unauthorized anti-Israel event that featured speakers known to support terrorism and promote violence. She also referred to another unauthorized anti-Israel rally that took place on April 4, promising disciplinary action against participants. Shafik is scheduled to testify on April 17 before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce investigating campus antisemitism.
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