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Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) CEO Sacha Roytman issued the following statement on Sunday:
“We are gravely concerned by the recent events at Columbia University, where demonstrations in support of Hamas have escalated into violent and targeted attacks against Jewish students. This alarming situation, including the disruptive presence of the Gaza Solidarity Encampment, has created hostile no-go zones on campus for Jewish and pro-Israel students, demanding immediate attention and action from Columbia’s administration and President Minouche Shafik.
Columbia University, long a cornerstone of American higher education, is witnessing a critical degradation of its commitment to the foundational principles of freedom, inclusivity, and the pursuit of knowledge. These principles are at risk as hateful ideologies manifest on campus, threatening not just Jewish students but the very fabric of the university community. The reported influence of foreign funding on university management and student admissions suggests that individuals who prioritize conflict over academic excellence have transformed our campus into a battleground against Jewish students.
Moreover, there are serious concerns about a double standard in the treatment of antisemitism compared to other forms of hate and bias. Were any other minority to suffer such attacks, we believe the university’s response would be more immediate and forceful, demonstrating a troubling indifference to the safety of Jewish students. This situation raises significant questions about Columbia’s adherence to Title VI obligations, which mandate a learning environment free from discrimination and harassment.
Despite initially calling in the NYPD, a move that coincided with congressional scrutiny, disorderly protesters have been allowed to return. Will President Shafik protect the Title VI rights of Jewish students as she pledged to members of the U.S. House of Representatives, or will she allow these intimidation tactics to continue at Columbia? The university’s repeated failure to enforce its rules over the past months has rightly led students on both sides of this issue to question President Shafik’s resolve.
We urgently call on Columbia’s leaders to take decisive steps against this surge of antisemitism and to implement robust policies that ensure the campus remains a safe environment for learning. We urge President Shafik and the Columbia University administration to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity and zero tolerance for antisemitism, HOLDING THESE STUDENTS TO ACCOUNT BY IMPOSING MEANINGFUL CONSEQUENCES, and clear these unlawful gatherings TO RESTORE ORDER ON CAMPUS.
We also welcome the efforts of the Committee on Education & the Workforce of the U.S. House, which is actively fighting antisemitism on campuses across the nation. Its work is essential in ensuring that educational institutions remain places of safety and learning, free from the scourge of hatred and bias.”
