Barnard College Expels Students for Disrupting Class on Israel
Barnard College in New York City has expelled two students for their alleged roles in disrupting a class on the history of modern Israel on January 21st. The expulsions were announced publicly by the Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD) group, which advocates for Columbia University to sever ties with Israel. Barnard and Columbia are affiliated institutions.
CUAD’s Allegations
In a post on Instagram, CUAD claimed that the Barnard administration has a history of hostility towards Palestine supporters and has used harsh disciplinary measures to silence protests. The group condemned the expulsions as an attempt to erase the college’s complicity in Israel’s alleged human rights violations.
Barnard’s Statement
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Barnard President Laura Rosenbury declined to comment on the students’ academic and disciplinary records due to federal law. However, she emphasized Barnard’s commitment to protecting the campus community and maintaining its values of respect, inclusion, and academic integrity.
Rosenbury stated, "When rules are broken, when there is no remorse, no reflection, and no willingness to change, we must act. Expulsion is always an extraordinary measure, but so too is our commitment to respect, inclusion, and the integrity of the academic experience."
The Incident
According to the Jewish Insider, the two expelled students banged on drums and chanted "Free Palestine" during the class. They also attempted to post a sign featuring an image of Hamas terrorists with the words "The enemy will not see tomorrow" on the classroom walls.
CUAD’s Protest Video
On Sunday, CUAD posted a video of the class disruption on Instagram. The video’s caption accused the History of Modern Israel class of "training future foot soldiers and managers of genocide." CUAD urged its followers to disrupt similar classes.
Columbia’s Response
Columbia University suspended the third student involved in the disruption days after the incident.
Praise for Barnard’s Actions
Brian Cohen, the director of The Kraft Center for Jewish Student Life, praised Rosenbury’s actions. He condemned the former students’ behavior as anti-Semitic and disruptive.
Cohen stated, "These individuals don’t belong on campus – and now they won’t be."
Conclusion
The expulsions at Barnard College have sparked controversy and raised questions about academic freedom and the role of activism on university campuses. The incident has also highlighted the ongoing tensions surrounding Israel and Palestine and the challenges universities face in addressing such issues while maintaining their values and fostering an inclusive learning environment.
