From the Liveblog of
Monday, February 3, 2025
Columbia faculty urge protective measures for Jewish students
Luke Tress is The Times of Israel's New York correspondent.
Close to 200 members of Columbia University’s faculty send a letter to University President Katrina Armstrong and the board of trustees calling on them to implement policies to protect Jewish students.
The letter urges the university to enforce a mask ban on campus, with exceptions for medical purposes; adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism; expel students who break into buildings or disrupt classes; remove and investigate Joseph Massad, a professor who applauded the Hamas attack on Israel; announce an opening date for a university center in Tel Aviv; appoint a committee to review undergraduate curriculum for bias; reinstate outspoken pro-Israel professor Shai Davidai’s access to campus; and hire at least three pro-Israel faculty for the department covering Middle East studies.
“We trust you will act swiftly, as the students and the Jewish community deserve to see decisive and meaningful change,” says the letter, according to a copy shared with The Times of Israel.
Close to 200 Columbia faculty sign letter urging university president to take steps to protect Jewish students pic.twitter.com/yndK91Pshi
— Luke Tress (@luketress) February 3, 2025
The Times of Israel Community.