Columbia Offers Remote Classes For Rest Of The Semester
Protests at Columbia University against the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict entered their sixth day on Monday, with demonstrators vowing to continue their fight until all of their demands were met. The university, in response to the growing protests, offered students the option to complete the remainder of the semester virtually.
While the protests have largely been peaceful, some Jewish students have expressed concerns for their safety on campus. The pro-Palestinian encampment has grown in size and intensity, with protesters adamant about their cause.
"We want to ensure that the Palestinian people are not physically eliminated," said one protester, highlighting the underlying concern driving the demonstrations.
On the other hand, Jewish students at Columbia, such as Ania Lakritz, have expressed hope for a dialogue between the two sides. "There needs to be a conversation between the two sides, and it hasn't happened yet. I hope it does," she said.
As the protests continue outside Columbia, students belonging to the Chabad of Columbia have been preparing for Passover celebrations. However, some students have admitted to feeling unsettled due to the situation on campus. "It's terrifying to hear people I go to class with, who I am in group projects with, who I am in clubs with, chanting for intifada. It feels like a personal attack," said Zachary Singerman.
The recent protests have also led to tensions between students at Columbia and those coming from outside the university. Jewish student Daniel Garrin shared that he had received threats from protesters who are not affiliated with the school. "They're not students here. They just decided it was their mission to come here and generally harass Jewish students," he said.
In light of these developments, Columbia has made all current classes virtual, with classes on the main campus also being required to offer a virtual option for the rest of the semester. While the university has been taking measures to address the situation, Jewish students and lawmakers believe more needs to be done.
New Jersey Congressman Josh Gottheimer, along with other lawmakers, joined the protests on Monday, stressing that the university has a legal responsibility to create a safe environment for Jewish students. "The campaign of intimidation is sickening and shocking," he said.
Furthermore, the New York Republican Congressional Delegation has called for Columbia's president, Minouche Shafik, to resign, stating that the current situation on campus is a result of her "policies and misguided decisions."
In response, Shafik has stated that the university is taking action against those violating the school's code of conduct. She also stressed the importance of addressing issues of antisemitism on college campuses.
One of the points of contention for the protesters is the suspension of Isra Hirsi, the daughter of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, who attends the neighboring Barnard College. Hirsi was arrested during a demonstration last week and subsequently suspended, losing access to her dorm and dining hall.
In a social media post, Omar stated that Barnard has a history of students fighting for a more just world and commended her daughter for continuing that tradition. However, not all are in agreement with this approach.
Barry Rosen, a former US hostage held in Iran in 1979, criticized the focus on student activists and the anti-Israel sentiment on campus. He highlighted that the real issue lies with the hostages taken by Hamas in the ongoing conflict.
"This does immense damage to you personally for the rest of your life and these people should not be forgotten," Rosen said.
As protests and tensions continue at Columbia University, the focus remains on finding a resolution to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and addressing the concerns of both the pro-Palestinian and Jewish student communities on campus.