Weekly Update from 'Antisemitism Exposed' Website: Is Columbia University Addressing Antisemitism?
In a significant move, Columbia University has disciplined more than 70 students for their involvement in unruly pro-Palestine demonstrations that disrupted academic activities and violated campus rules.
The university's actions came following a series of disruptive events, including the May 7 riots at Butler Library, an encampment during Alumni Weekend in spring 2024, and three other chaotic events in the same season. These incidents led to campus disruptions and violations of rules aimed at maintaining academic order.
The disciplinary measures, imposed by the University Judicial Board (UJB), range from expulsions to multi-year suspensions and even degree revocations. The university stated that such actions were necessary because "disruptions to academic activities are in violation of University policies and Rules, and such violations will necessarily generate consequences."
The investigations were conducted by the UJB, now under the Provost’s Office since March 2025, following a White House mandate related to a probe on antisemitism and pressures from the Trump administration, which had accused the school of inaction in response to harassment of Jewish students and withheld $400 million in federal grants.
Columbia emphasized the importance of respect for others and the institution's mission, indicating that the students' actions disrupted the academic environment. The disciplinary process involved hearings allowing students to present their cases, and decisions were made based on findings about the incidents. In some cases, suspended students were required to submit apologies for readmission; refusal would convert suspensions to expulsions.
Meanwhile, in the political sphere, Reps. Josh Gottheimer and Rudy Yakym are leading a bipartisan bill to condemn the use of the phrase "globalize the intifada." U.S. Rep. Rudy Yakym quoted, "Condemning it should be common sense, but some would rather play politics than tell the truth. The violence and hatred directed at Jewish and Israeli people is reprehensible."
However, NYC mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani has not publicly condemned the phrase.
Elsewhere, a campaign office for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was vandalized with a painted anti-Israel slogan.
The rising anti-Jewish prejudice across the U.S. and the world is a topic of concern, as covered extensively in the "Antisemitism Exposed" newsletter. This newsletter, published by our website, also brings stories on the Columbia University disciplinary actions more than a year after a violent library takeover, and a House resolution aimed at condemning a phrase that's created a firestorm for Zohran Mamdani.
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- The disciplinary actions taken by Columbia University, following disruptive pro-Palestine demonstrations, have sparked a political debate among U.S. representatives, with Reps. Josh Gottheimer and Rudy Yakym leading a bipartisan bill to condemn the use of the phrase "globalize the intifada."
- In contrast to the political sphere, the mayoral candidate, Zohran Mamdani, has not publicly denounced this controversial phrase.
- The rising anti-Jewish prejudice has been a focus of concern, not only in academic settings, such as Columbia University, but also in the general news landscape, with extensive coverage in newsletters like "Antisemitism Exposed."
