Columbia University, a prestigious Ivy League institution, has recently been embroiled in controversy following the distribution of an antisemitic newspaper by a student group. This incident has ignited widespread condemnation from university officials, political leaders, and the broader community, highlighting persistent concerns about antisemitism on college campuses.
The Emergence of ‘The Columbia Intifada’
On December 6, 2024, the New York Post reported that Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), an anti-Israel student organization at Columbia University, distributed a newspaper titled “The Columbia Intifada.” The publication contained articles with inflammatory titles, such as “Zionist Peace Means Palestinian Blood” and “The Myth of the Two-State Solution,” and included a guide to wheatpasting—a method of vandalizing public surfaces with propaganda fliers. Notably, the articles lacked author bylines, and the newspaper’s masthead featured a quote from a poem by scholar Sophia Armen: “You, genocider—who remembers you?”
University and Political Responses
Columbia University swiftly condemned the use of its name in promoting violence, stating that such actions breach the institution’s values. The university emphasized that discrimination and the promotion of violence or terror are unacceptable and antithetical to the community’s principles. An investigation into the incident was initiated through applicable offices and policies.
Political figures also expressed strong reactions. Congressman Mike Lawler criticized the university’s handling of the situation, suggesting that if Columbia cannot protect Jewish students, it should face consequences such as losing federal funding and tax-exempt status. He further advocated for the deportation of students on visas who engage in actions against Jewish students.
Student and Faculty Perspectives
The distribution of “The Columbia Intifada” elicited varied reactions within the university community. Some Jewish students reported feeling targeted and unsafe. For instance, Brooke Chasalow, a pre-med junior, expressed concerns that the publication’s content indicated a lack of desire for peace and criticized the oversimplification of the complex Israeli-Palestinian conflict. She also noted that while free speech is important, the university should monitor and address hateful language.
Conversely, some students supported the publication, viewing it as an expression of diverse ideas, even if controversial. One student, who chose to remain anonymous, stated, “I encourage the diversity of ideas in a school when we’re being censored.”
Faculty members also weighed in. Professor Gil Zussman, who experienced the second Intifada in Israel, found the newspaper’s distribution concerning. He highlighted the violent history associated with the term “Intifada” and criticized faculty members who appeared to support such rhetoric, calling it “extremely irresponsible.”
Historical Context of Antisemitism at Columbia University
This incident is not isolated but part of a broader pattern of antisemitic occurrences at Columbia University. In July 2024, three administrators were removed from their positions after exchanging text messages during a panel on Jewish life that “touched on ancient antisemitic tropes.” The university described their conduct as unprofessional and contrary to its mission and values.
Additionally, in August 2024, a report by Columbia’s antisemitism task force revealed that Jewish students had experienced threats, harassment, and discrimination on campus. The report criticized the university for failing to adequately address these issues and recommended measures such as bias training for faculty and staff.
Broader Implications and Ongoing Concerns
The distribution of “The Columbia Intifada” underscores the ongoing challenges universities face in balancing free speech with the need to maintain a safe and inclusive environment. The use of the term “Intifada,” associated with violent uprisings, in the publication’s title has been interpreted by many as glorifying violence against Jews and Israelis. The Anti-Defamation League notes that slogans referencing Intifada “call for indiscriminate violence against Israel, and potentially against Jews and Jewish institutions worldwide.”
This incident also reflects a broader trend of rising antisemitism on college campuses across the United States. Universities like Harvard and Stanford have recently addressed similar issues, forming task forces to tackle campus antisemitism and proposing measures to protect Jewish students while balancing free speech concerns.
The controversy surrounding “The Columbia Intifada” at Columbia University highlights the persistent and complex issue of antisemitism in academic settings. It calls for a concerted effort from university administrations, political leaders, and communities to address hate speech, protect students, and foster an environment where diverse ideas can be expressed without promoting violence or discrimination.
