Jewish professor Shai Davidai was barred Tuesday from entering the campus of Columbia University in New York amid escalating pro-Palestinian protests.
Local security forces cited concerns for the safety of Davidai, a vocal critic of the prestigious institution's handling of antisemitism issues.
Campus security and police at @Columbia are not allowing pro-Israel assistant professor @ShaiDavidai on the part of campus being occupied by the far-left and Islamic extremists. To protect the autonomous zone, the university is keeping out its critics. pic.twitter.com/wDBruut2B2
— Andy Ngô 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) April 22, 2024
"Earlier today, Columbia University refused to let me onto campus. Why? Because they cannot protect my safety as a Jewish professor. This is 1938," he wrote on X, referring to the anti-Jewish restrictions in pre-World War II Germany.
He noted, "So they are willing to use Jewish brains, but they don't want to let Jewish people in."
The protests have seen hundreds of students pitch tents across the campus grounds, where they have entrenched themselves while voicing support for Hamas and opposition to Israel. The demonstrations have turned increasingly volatile, with chants like "Burn Tel Aviv to the ground" and "Al-Qassam Brigades, we are proud of you" echoing across the campus.
Arrests have also been made at other universities, with about 50 students detained at Yale University in Connecticut on Monday and dozens more at New York University.
The unrest prompted Columbia's administration to transition most classes to a virtual format until the end of the spring semester.
"Safety is our highest priority as we strive to support our students' learning and all the required academic operations," the university's provost, Angela V. Olinto, and chief operating officer, Cas Holloway, said in a statement late Monday.
The decision followed a series of clashes between pro-Palestinian students and massive anti-Israel demonstrations, which unfolded as Columbia's president, Minouche Shafik, testified before the House Education and Labor Committee regarding antisemitic incidents on campus.
Shafik acknowledged the severity of the situation, stating, "Over the past days, there have been too many examples of intimidating and harassing behavior on our campus. Antisemitic language, like any other language that is used to hurt and frighten people, is unacceptable and appropriate action will be taken."
The chaos on campus has intensified calls for Shafik's resignation, with Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik accusing her of "ceding control of campus."
