Columbia University’s Crisis: A Call for Self-Reflection and Action Against Antisemitism
President Donald Trump’s recent decision to revoke $400 million in federal grants from Columbia University, citing concerns over the pervasive culture of antisemitism on its campus, should serve as a pivotal moment prompting introspection among leftists and liberals globally. The issue transcends mere political alignment; it strikes at the heart of fundamental values of tolerance, inclusion, and the protection of vulnerable communities.
As an alumna of Columbia University, holding a master’s degree in international affairs, it was deeply disheartening to witness Senator John Kennedy, representing Louisiana, publicly confront my alma mater during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. This hearing, titled "Never to Be Silent: Stemming the Tide of Antisemitism in America," was led by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa. The proceedings took on added gravity as journalist Asra Nomani presented testimony before the committee, raising critical concerns about an organized effort actively cultivating anti-Jewish sentiment.
The core of Nomani’s testimony focused on the existence of an "industry" that is fostering anti-Jewish hatred. This claim is both alarming and demands thorough investigation. The implications extend beyond isolated incidents of prejudice and suggest a coordinated campaign aiming to undermine the safety and well-being of Jewish individuals. Nomani urged the Department of Justice to launch a probe into the possibility of "malign foreign influence" fueling this disturbing trend.
While some may attempt to downplay the significance of violent protests against Jews and Israel occurring on American campuses, labeling them as trivial when compared to the tragic loss of Palestinian lives in Gaza, it is crucial to recognize the distinct nature and gravity of these issues. The erosion of safety for Jewish students on American university campuses is not an isolated concern; it lies at the very core of the broader conflict. These incidents create a hostile environment, stifle free expression, and fundamentally undermine the principles of academic freedom and inclusivity.
Witnesses who testified at the Senate hearing provided compelling evidence of the alarming rise in antisemitism within the United States, particularly in the aftermath of the devastating Hamas terror attack on Israel on October 7th. Senator Kennedy specifically called attention to Columbia University’s historical ties to antisemitism, arguing that the normalization of hatred toward Jews has occurred under the Biden administration’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) program. This claim warrants careful examination, as DEI initiatives should promote understanding and respect among diverse communities, not inadvertently contribute to division and animosity.
Having observed anti-Jewish violence unfold at Columbia in 2023 from my current location in India, I was deeply disturbed. My own experiences as a student at Columbia in the late 2000s revealed a disturbing trend: a pronounced sympathy among many academics and student groups for perpetrators of terror rather than the victims of such acts. The university’s decision to host then-Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2007, rather than extending a platform to Iranian women subjected to enforced hijab, speaks volumes about the skewed priorities that were prevalent. Furthermore, the silence that followed the devastating militant attacks in Mumbai, India, on November 26, 2008, further highlighted a troubling indifference toward the suffering of victims of terror.
In 2009, the campus was effectively shut down by a coalition of leftist and Islamic student unions seeking to prevent a scheduled talk by Geert Wilders, a conservative Dutch politician. Despite the opposition, I attended his lecture, seizing the opportunity to pose a challenging question regarding his anti-Islam views. However, a mob of students resorted to heckling rather than engaging in meaningful debate. This blatant intolerance for differing viewpoints was deeply unsettling, particularly within the supposed bastion of free speech that Columbia University was meant to represent.
While the warning signs were present during my time as a student, I never imagined that the alliance between leftist and Islamist elements at Columbia would ultimately propel the campus into a spiral of violence reminiscent of developing countries. The thought that Ivy League campuses could become stages for violent threats by Islamists, akin to the scenes witnessed at Jawaharlal Nehru University in India in 2016, was simply inconceivable. Senator Kennedy’s recounting of assaults on Jewish students at Columbia in 2023 deeply troubled me, underscoring the severity of the situation.
The historical parallels between the partition of India and the Palestinian territories offer valuable insights into the complexities of the ongoing conflict. Following World War II, the British withdrawal from their colonies led to the creation of Pakistan and Israel. While Arab Muslims vehemently opposed the creation of Israel, India accepted the British partition, ceding a significant portion of its territory to form Pakistan. Unlike the Arab nations, India’s newly established leaders embraced Gandhi’s philosophy of ahimsa, or non-violence, allowing Muslims to prosper within their country. However, Pakistan’s army chose a path of jihad against India, resulting in devastating consequences over the past 75 years. Similarly, Arab nations and Iran have used Palestinian Muslims as pawns in their ongoing conflict with Israel, perpetuating terrorism and conflict. Co-existence between Jews, Arabs, and Iranians is indeed possible, but it remains elusive due to the persistent cycle of hatred and violence.
Globally, Israel has faced disproportionate condemnation, while the Palestinian issue has garnered widespread sympathy. This imbalance raises questions about the underlying motivations and influences at play. It is notable that Muslims worldwide rarely express the same level of concern for the genocide of Bangladeshi Muslims by the Pakistani Army or the oppression of Muslims in Islamic theocracies. The billions of dollars spent by human rights organizations, advocacy groups, and think tanks to demonize Israel over the past seven decades suggests a calculated and sinister design.
During the Senate hearing, Nomani shared the heart-wrenching story of her friend and Wall Street Journal colleague, Daniel Pearl, who was brutally beheaded by Pakistani terrorists who viewed his Jewish identity, American citizenship, and Israeli roots as crimes worthy of death. She revealed the existence of a network comprised of approximately 1,500 organizations that spread antisemitic propaganda and radicalize young people in the U.S. against Jews. I witnessed this hatred firsthand prior to the hearing, when I encountered anti-Israel activists from the group Code Pink in the Senate hallway. These individuals, wearing pink shirts and Palestinian keffiyehs, advocated for a one-state solution and opposed the existence of Israel as a Jewish state.
A New York Times investigation revealed that Chinese funding, funneled through American millionaire Neville Roy Singham, has been used to support liberal media outlets, think tanks, and advocacy groups, including Code Pink. Singham is married to Jodie Evans, a co-founder of Code Pink. In India, this network provided funding to NewsClick and other platforms to promote an anti-India agenda. In the U.S., organizations such as Code Pink have spearheaded campaigns against Israel and the United States.
Nomani characterized antisemitism in the U.S. as a protracted war waged through "malign foreign influence." The presence of bigotry against Jews at Columbia and other universities strongly suggests that foreign support is actively mobilizing these sentiments. As this hatred is weaponized, the conflict in Gaza will continue to escalate.
President Donald Trump’s decision to cancel $400 million in federal funding to Columbia is a necessary first step. Moving forward, the government must vigorously prosecute individuals and organizations that are complicit in weaponizing antisemitic sentiments. A victory in America is a victory for the world, paving the way for a future where Jewish individuals are safe, respected, and free from persecution.
