Washington D.C., USA – Columbia University president Minouche Shafik testified before Congress on Wednesday, addressing concerns about rising incidents of anti-Semitism on college campuses. During the hearing with the Republican-led House Education Committee, Shafik initially denied any “anti-Jewish protests” occurring at Columbia. However, under questioning from Rep. Elise Stefanik (R., N.Y.), it was revealed that there have been instances of anti-Semitic chants, such as “Jews out,” on the university’s campus.
Stefanik pressed Shafik on her initial denial, emphasizing that regardless of how protests are labeled, if anti-Semitic sentiments are expressed, it constitutes an anti-Jewish protest. Shafik ultimately acknowledged that anti-Jewish remarks had been made during protests on campus, prompting a reevaluation of her earlier statement.
In addition to addressing specific incidents of anti-Semitism, Shafik also discussed the school’s handling of controversial statements made by faculty members. She acknowledged that the chant “globalize the intifada” was not deemed unacceptable by the school’s current rules. Shafik emphasized the importance of ensuring that faculty members do not engage in discriminatory or harassing behavior, citing a case involving Middle Eastern studies professor Joseph Massad, who had made troubling comments regarding a terror attack on Israel.
Despite condemning Massad’s remarks, Shafik confirmed that he remains a faculty member at Columbia. She noted that discussions had taken place with Massad regarding his conduct and expressed confidence that he had not repeated similar statements since. The issue of balancing academic freedom with accountability for objectionable comments was a focal point of the hearing.
As concerns about anti-Semitism continue to be a point of contention on college campuses, Shafik’s testimony shed light on the challenges faced by universities in upholding principles of free speech while combatting hate speech. The exchange between Shafik and members of Congress underscores the complexities of addressing incidents of discrimination and intolerance within academic settings. Efforts to promote inclusivity and tolerance remain key priorities for institutions of higher education like Columbia University in fostering a conducive learning environment for all students.