Columbia Prof Takes on University President  Over Israel-Hamas Response 

Columbia Prof Takes on University President  Over Israel-Hamas Response 

Edited by: Fern Sidman

Shai Davidai, an Israeli-American professor at Columbia University’s business school sharply criticized his employer in a passionate speech on the Morningside Heights campus on Wednesday night. Professor Davidai expressed his concern that the university had not publicly denounced pro-Palestinian student organizations that he claimed were “pro-terror.” He specifically mentioned Columbia’s president, Minouche Shafik, for not taking a stand against these student groups.

According to a report in the New York Post,  Davidai said he would never allow his daughter to attend the Ivy League school in remarks he posted to YouTube titled “an open letter to every parent in America.”

In his speech, Professor Davidai expressed his frustration with universities in the United States not taking a stronger stance against the Hamas terror group for their abduction of 200 Israelis and he also  blasted liberal universities across the country for not “taking a stand” against the October 7th Hamas attack in which over 1400 were killed and over 4000 were left injured.

Professor Davidai accused President Shafik of being a “coward” for not addressing the issue and called on her to eradicate what he referred to as “pro-terror” student organizations from the campus.

“President Minouche Shafik of Columbia University, you are a coward,” Davidai shouted while noting President Biden and Mayor Eric Adams’ comments denouncing violence, as was reported by the Post.

“Where are you, President Shafik of Columbia University? We are waiting for you to eradicate all pro-terror student organizations from campus,” he said in an impassioned tone.

In his fiery address, Davidai made reference to a protest held last Thursday that was organized by the Columbia University chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace, as was reported by the Post. Students Supporting Israel held a counter-protest at the same time.

He said he could not believe he witnessed hundreds of students — who he again claimed to be “pro-terror” — protesting at Columbia University last week.

Davidai railed against the slaughter of Israelis by Hamas terrorists and said such horrors were never okay, “not as an act of resistance.”

He made a bold comparison between the protesters he criticized and blatantly anti-Semitic groups like the Ku Klux Klan and ISIS.

His speech has generated significant debate and concern on the Columbia University campus and among various student groups, with both pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian students feeling the impact of the tensions.

“I’m speaking up because I walked onto my own campus — the place that employs me, that is supposed to keep me safe — and I was shivering,” Davidai said, according to the Post report. “I am 40 years old and I was shivering to come to my own employment. Imagine not being able to go to your work because your boss does not value your life, because your boss supports pro-terror organizations.”

On October 11, just one day before scheduled protests at Columbia University, a disturbing incident occurred outside the university’s main library. A 24-year-old Israeli student was reportedly beaten with a stick. The Post reported that the alleged assailant, 19-year-old Maxwell Friedman, was arrested and charged with second and third-degree assault, with hate crimes added to the charges. The victim, fearing for his safety, has since expressed his reluctance to return to campus, according to the Columbia Spectator.

The tension appears to cut both ways, affecting pro-Palestinian students as well. An unnamed Columbia University employee was recorded making inflammatory comments on the student radio station WKCR, allegedly expressing hope for harm to come to pro-Palestinian student protesters, the Post reported. Muslim students have reported incidents of being spat at and having their hijabs torn off on campus. Activists have also been labeled as “terrorists” by some, as reported by the Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine group, according to the Post.

Columbia University President Minouche Shafik acknowledged the concerns of students and professors regarding personal security and the charged atmosphere on campus. The Post reported that in a message to the Columbia community, she emphasized the university’s commitment to the well-being of its students and faculty, along with its duty to ensure that students can gather and express themselves.

“During any crisis in the world, our priority is providing immediate support to Columbia community members whose lives have been directly affected,” Shafik wrote, as was indicated in the Post report. “Our day-to-day duty of care for the security and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff is paramount.”

She added that the university is “duty-bound to ensure students can gather and express themselves” but said she was “disheartened” that some Columbia community members have displayed “abhorrent rhetoric,” including the doxing and online harassment of some students.

“Unfortunately, some are using this moment to spread anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, bigotry against Palestinians and Israelis, and various other forms of hate,” Shafik wrote, according to the Spectator and reported on by the Post. “Especially at a time of pain and anger, we must avoid language that vilifies, threatens, or stereotypes entire groups of people,” she said.

“It is antithetical to Columbia’s values and can lead to acts of harassment or violence,” she added. “When this type of speech is unlawful or violates University rules, it will not be tolerated.”

In response to these incidents, students on both sides of the conflict have called on Columbia University to take action to protect them from aggression. The situation has raised questions about the role of educators and academic institutions in addressing sensitive geopolitical issues.

One Jewish sophomore at the university praised Assistant Professor Shai Davidai’s speech, which criticized the university for not publicly denouncing pro-Palestinian student organizations, according to the Post report. She described the speech as “overdue” and expressed her fear while on campus. She called for professors to condemn terrorism and noted the significance of addressing hate speech.

“Among the Jews, he’s a hero,” the sophomore said of Davidai, the Post reported, “But every professor should come out and condemn terrorism – people really don’t feel safe.”

“I think Davidai hit the nail on the head. The silence of the school is really deafening. When people chant, ‘From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,’ that’s calling for the extermination of the Jewish people – and that needs to be condemned,” she added, according to the Post report.

The student said that she never felt direct anti-Semitism at the embattled school – until last week. “This was my first taste of it. Now, I feel like the only people who have my back are my Jewish community on campus. I didn’t feel like that before,” she said, as was noted in the Post report.

While this conflict has deeply affected the Columbia University community, there is also evidence of solidarity and support among students, particularly within specific communities. The Post reported that a group chat was created to escort Jewish students who felt unsafe on campus, and students have expressed their determination to continue their activities while being vigilant about their safety.

The events at Columbia University serve as a reminder of the complex dynamics and challenges that arise when sensitive political issues intersect with academic freedom and campus life. Finding a balance between free expression of ideas and ensuring the safety and well-being of students is a challenge that universities across the world continue to grapple with.