Jewish Students Report Antisemitic Incidents During Anti-Israel Protest at Columbia University
A wave of concern and condemnation has erupted at Columbia University following a large-scale anti-Israel demonstration that overtook the Butler Library, leaving Jewish students feeling unsafe and targeted. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, involved hundreds of masked protesters who disrupted the academic environment, allegedly engaged in antisemitic behavior, and clashed with public safety officers.
One Jewish Columbia University student, originally from Israel and pursuing a Ph.D., recounted a harrowing experience during the demonstration. He stated that he and his friends were caught in what felt like a "stampede" as the protesters swarmed the library. While he couldn’t definitively say whether the initial shoving was motivated by antisemitism, he later experienced a direct physical assault. According to his account, as he stood in the library lobby, a supporter of the demonstrators walked past him and deliberately elbowed him in the ribs.
The Ph.D. student also described the environment inside the library as "extremely hostile." He claimed that he was trying to conduct research when the demonstrators stormed the building, forcing public safety officers to lock down the room. He remained stranded inside for three hours as the protesters attempted to breach the security perimeter. He further alleged that he was subjected to antisemitic verbal abuse by the crowd, including being called a "genocider" and a "perpetual victim." He emphasized that this was not an isolated incident, but rather part of a pattern of antisemitism he has experienced on campus.
Other students present at the scene corroborated the Ph.D. student’s account of the chaos and hostility. Columbia sophomore Josh Segal reported hearing demonstrators chanting in support of Hamas’ Al Qassam brigades, the military wing responsible for the October 7th terrorist attack on Israel. Segal, who was unable to enter the library due to the commotion, expressed his shock and disbelief at the events unfolding.
Senior Eden Yadegar, who majors in both Jewish and Middle Eastern Studies, echoed Segal’s sentiments. She described the scene as "utter pandemonium" and stated that the protesters disrupted the studies of hundreds of students who were preparing for their upcoming finals. Yadegar also criticized the protesters for allegedly misrepresenting their treatment by public safety officers, claiming that the officers prioritized student safety and allowed students to leave upon showing their IDs. She accused the protesters of hiding their identities and emulating terrorists.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage and calls for accountability. Columbia acting president Claire Shipman condemned the demonstration as "utterly unacceptable." Reports indicate that the protesters vandalized the library, covering security cameras with stickers, defacing desks and bookshelves, and chanting slogans such as "Long live the intifada!" The phrase "Columbia will burn 4 the martyrs" was reportedly scrawled across a library display case.
Social media posts further highlighted the alleged antisemitic nature of the demonstration. One account showed a demonstrator yelling, "Don’t let this guy in, he’s a f—king Zionist," as a Jewish student attempted to enter the library.
Following the incident, police sources reported that 80 arrests were made. Yadegar praised the arrests as a "step in the right direction" for the university, which she believes has become a breeding ground for antisemitism since the October 7th terrorist attack. She urged the university to suspend or expel the demonstrators, accusing them of disrupting the university, spewing antisemitic rhetoric, and trivializing the ongoing conflict and the plight of American hostages held by a terrorist organization.
The events at Columbia University underscore the growing concerns about antisemitism on college campuses across the United States. The incident has ignited a debate about free speech, academic freedom, and the responsibility of universities to protect their students from discrimination and harassment. Many are calling for Columbia University to take decisive action to address the underlying issues and create a safe and inclusive environment for all students, regardless of their religious or political beliefs. The university is now facing mounting pressure to thoroughly investigate the incident, hold those responsible accountable, and implement measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
