In the wake of Hamas’ attacks on Oct. 7, universities and colleges in the US have seen a surge in antisemitic and anti-Israel activities. These actions include large protests, disruptions of classes and events, and the establishment of encampments. Notably, faculty members, not just students, have also been involved in these activities.
Calling for action, Columbia Business School associate professor Shai Davidai has urged President Donald Trump to issue an executive order preventing institutions that employ professors supporting US-designated terror groups from receiving federal funds.
President Donald Trump signs documents as he issues executive orders and pardons for January 6 defendants in the Oval Office at the White House on Inauguration Day in Washington, Jan. 20, 2025. (REUTERS/Carlos Barria)
Sharing a post from Documenting Jew Hatred on Campus at ColumbiaU, Davidai stressed the need for Trump’s intervention.
“I think it’s time for the president to sign a very simple executive order: no federal funds to private institutions that hire professors who support U.S.-designated terrorist organizations,” Davidai wrote.
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY TEMPORARILY BANS PRO-ISRAEL PROFESSOR FROM CAMPUS
Davidai contends that Columbia’s employment of faculty members who support terror groups violates the 1964 Civil Rights Act and argues that the university should not receive federal funding due to this support.
“For the past 15 months, we have seen open support for the annihilation of the State of Israel,” Davidai told Fox News Digital. “Not just criticism of the government of Israel, but the existence of Israel and Israelis on university campus both by students but also by professors.”
Student protesters march around their encampment on the Columbia University campus, Monday, April 29, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)
Davidai stresses that this issue is not just about Israel but is also an American concern. He points out that the rhetoric used by agitators mirrors that of the Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps, viewing Israel as the “little Satan” and America as the “big Satan.”
“This is anti-Americanism. They hate America, and they say so, it’s not me putting words in their mouths.”
Following the Oct. 7 attacks, Columbia University experienced a surge in anti-Israel and antisemitic activities, prompting national attention. Despite changes in university leadership, anti-Israel actions persist on campus.
Recently, protesters disrupted a course on the Modern History of Israel led by Avi Shilon, a visiting professor from Tel-Hai Academic College in Israel, which faces threats from Hezbollah due to its location near Israel’s northern border.
“Just like Hezbollah would not let him teach his class in Israel, the Hezbollah supporters here in New York City just barged into his class and would not let him teach,” Davidai said.
COLUMBIA STUDENTS CONFRONT ANTI-ISRAEL PROTESTERS WHO STORMED CLASSROOM WITH ANTISEMITIC FLYERS
The passenger that accosted Adams accused him of leaving the state while anti-Israel agitators were being arrested by police at Columbia University in recent days. (Peter Gerber)
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Columbia did not respond to a request for comment. However, interim President Katrina Armstrong issued a statement.
“Today a History of Modern Israel class was disrupted by protesters who handed out fliers. We strongly condemn this disruption, as well as the fliers that included violent imagery that is unacceptable on our campus and in our community. No group of students has a right to disrupt another group of students in a Columbia classroom. Disrupting academic activities constitutes a violation of the Rules of University conduct and the nature of the disruption may constitute violations of other University policies,” the statement reads.
“We will move quickly to investigate and address this act. We want to be absolutely clear that any act of antisemitism, or other form of discrimination, harassment, or intimidation against members of our community is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”
