College Campus Protests over Israel-Hamas Conflict Intensify in NYC, Tensions Rise amid Antisemitism Claims

Protests in support of Palestine have escalated at various college campuses across NYC, including Columbia University and New York University (NYU). These demonstrations stemmed from the ongoing Israel-Hamas war which has sparked contentious debates among students over antisemitism. At Columbia, a “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” was set up by Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace on April 17th, with dozens of arrests made as the NYPD removed the encampment four days later. Several suspended students involved in these protests include Isra Hirsi, daughter of US Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN). The university’s president, Nemat Shafik, appeared before Congress to denounce antisemitism on campus and refute claims that she has allowed Columbia University to become a hub for hatred. However, tensions between Jewish students who feel unsafe due to the criticism of Israel veering into anti-Semitic rhetoric have also been apparent at both universities. At NYU, over 1000 protesters marched on April 24th calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and demanding their school divest from companies selling weapons in Israel. Columbia University switched to hybrid learning due to safety concerns following the protests. House Speaker Mike Johnson called for the university president’s resignation, accusing her of allowing anti-Semitic activities on campus that went unaddressed while he presented new measures targeting extremist propaganda spread online against Jews at the conference sponsored by Democrats last weekend. The protesters have set up a smaller encampment and are still continuing negotiations with Columbia officials but indicate an intent to maintain it until demands, such as divestments from companies that sell weapons in Israel or any other country involved in human rights violations, are met before graduation ceremonies next month. At CCNY and FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology), new encampments were set up on April 28th without arrests being made by the police yet.