Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleWelcome to The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what’s happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world.
US reporter Luke Tress joins host Jessica Steinberg for today’s episode.
The fourth and final report of the Columbia University antisemitism task force, released this week, focuses on what happened in the classrooms, says Tress. It addresses the shocking discrimination against Jewish and Israeli students throughout the months of protests during the war against Hamas in Gaza, and highlights the nonetheless vital importance of free speech and academic freedom.
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Tress also discusses related situations at two California colleges. In one, a livestreamed class of a prominent academic and activist at Cal State showed her coaching students to oppose a state bill meant to combat antisemitism in local schools. In the other, the University of California at Berkeley settled with a visiting Israeli lecturer who sued the school after being disinvited to return due to her nationality.
Ahead of Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani taking office in New York City, Tress notes that Jewish liberal Democrat Brad Lander is running for state office against a Jewish pro-Israel incumbent with Mamdani’s backing, alongside some reactions to Mamdani’s win.
Check out The Times of Israel’s ongoing liveblog for more updates.
For further reading:
Jewish students singled out, scapegoated: Columbia releases final antisemitism report
Cal State investigating professor seen coaching class to oppose antisemitism bill
In legal settlement, UC Berkeley acknowledges discriminating against Israeli prof
Herzog, in NYC, calls Mamdani’s rhetoric about Israel ‘outrageous,’ ‘anti-American’
Prominent NY rabbi: Mamdani understood Jewish community fissures better than we did
NYC’s Lander announces run for Congress with Mamdani’s endorsement
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