Columbia University on edge over Gaza: What’s going on?
Al Jazeera
Classes will be held virtually on Monday amid mounting tension between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protesters, days after more than a hundred students were arrested.
New York’s Columbia University is on edge amid mounting tensions between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protesters over the war in Gaza and growing criticism of the Ivy League school’s leadership from members of Congress and both sides that are facing off on campus.
On Sunday, a prominent rabbi linked to Columbia University and its affiliated Barnard College, Elie Buechler, urged Jewish students at the institution to stay home due to “extreme anti-Semitism” on campus on Sunday.
Columbia’s President Nemat “Minouche” Shafik announced in an official statement that all classes will be held virtually on Monday and that faculty and staff who can work remotely should do so. Monday marks Passover, a major Jewish holiday.
“Over the past days, there have been too many examples of intimidating and harassing behavior on our campus. Anti-Semitic language, like any other language that is used to hurt and frighten people, is unacceptable and appropriate action will be taken,” Shafik said in a statement.
The pro-Palestinian student protest effort, dubbed the “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” is collectively organised by student-led coalition Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD), Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace.
