Thoughts about the pro-Palestine protest at Columbia University

Various sources are reporting various things about the recent pro-Palestine protest at Columbia University. Some sources say it was antisemitic and others say it wasn't. Some say the protesters were peaceful and some say otherwise. Once again, the poison and contradictory narratives that attaches to the endless Israel-Palestine hate & misery story is gushing forth. I did some searching and it seems that the protestors were peaceful, but critical of Israel's brutal policy toward Gaza. How prominent the alleged acts of antisemitism were isn't clear to me. Also not clear to me is what is the line between antisemitism and legitimate criticism of Israeli war policy.

Some Q&A from me and Perplexity:

Q: Was the pro-Palestine protest at Columbia University antisemitic?

A: Based on the search results, the protests at Columbia University appear to have involved both legitimate criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza as well as some incidents of alleged antisemitism:

• The protests were led by student groups like Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD), Students for Justice in Palestine, and Jewish Voice for Peace, who were advocating for the university to divest from corporations profiting from Israel's conflict in Gaza 3. Their demands also included a ceasefire in Gaza and increased financial transparency around the university's investments 1.

• However, some Jewish students have accused the protesters of using antisemitic language and engaging in behavior that has made them feel unsafe on campus 1 2 4. Footage emerged of pro-Palestinian activists using derogatory language towards Jewish students 1. The university's president condemned the "antisemitic language" and "intimidating and harassing behavior" occurring on campus 1.

• President Biden also condemned the "antisemitic protests" at Columbia, stating that "silence is complicity" and that this "egregious antisemitism is unacceptable" 2. Other senior Democrats like Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Rep. Josh Gottheimer have also criticized the protests and called for action against harassment 2.

So in summary, while the core of the protests appears to be legitimate criticism of Israel's actions, there have been credible allegations of antisemitic incidents and behavior that have made Jewish students feel unsafe1 2 4. The university leadership and political figures have condemned these antisemitic elements of the protests 1 2.

Biden reacted strongly, maybe out of proportionality with with the seriousness of what he alleged.

Q: Did Biden condemn the Columbia U protest as antisemitic?

A: Yes, Biden condemned the protests at Columbia University as antisemitic. According to the search results:

"'I unequivocally condemn the antisemitic protests,' Biden declared to reporters as he returned from an Earth Day speech. 'I have established a program to address this issue.'" 2 3

Biden specifically stated that the "blatant antisemitism" seen in the protests at Columbia is "reprehensible and dangerous—and it has absolutely no place on college campuses, or anywhere in our country." 1 4 The White House also issued a statement condemning "calls for violence and physical intimidation targeting Jewish students and the Jewish community" as "blatantly antisemitic, unconscionable, and dangerous." 1 4

So in clear and unequivocal terms, Biden condemned the Columbia protests as antisemitic and said he has established a program to address this issue. 2 3 5 

Some other politicians also condemned the protest as antisemitic.

Q: What were the specific statements that were considered antisemitic

A: According to the search results, the following specific statements and actions were condemned as antisemitic at the Columbia University protests:

• Chants from protesters of "Go back to Poland" 2

• Signs with the Hamas symbol and the words "I'm with them" 2

• Chants calling for Hamas attacks on Tel Aviv 2

• Protesters attempting to burn an Israel flag 2

• Calls for "violence and physical intimidation targeting Jewish students and the Jewish community"1 2

• Rhetoric "echoing that of terrorist organizations, especially in the wake of the recent massacre against the Jewish people"1

• Harassment, threats, and intimidation against Jewish students on campus 2 4 

The White House, New York Mayor, and several members of Congress condemned these specific antisemitic statements and actions as "blatantly antisemitic, unconscionable, and dangerous"1 2. They called for the university to take action to ensure the safety and security of Jewish students on campus.1 2 3 4

Most of that feels clearly antisemitic to me. 

At this point, maybe the Israel-Palestine issue could influence the US election, maybe enough to tip it to Trump. I don't know what to think of all of this. If the US had forced a peace plan decades ago, I doubt all of this would be happening today. But, that's in the past. For better or worse, we have live with the consequences of our past actions and inactions.

Outside agitators complicated the situation