Statement on Antisemitism at Columbia University

IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
April 22, 2024
Contact: Avi D. Gordon, Executive Director Alums for Campus Fairness
917-512-4585, [email protected]

The following statement is attributed to Avi D. Gordon, Executive Director of Alums for Campus Fairness: 

"Jewish and Israeli students at Columbia University are facing physical violence and vile antisemitic harassment on campus. Over the weekend, already rising campus tensions reached a boiling point. Following the attempted disbandment of the anti-Israel encampment of protestors on Columbia’s lawn, protestors escalated their tactics to include physical intimidation. The escalated hostility on campus has led to some Jewish leaders encouraging students to stay away from campus and for all classes to be held virtually today. Once again, the extremism of antisemitic protestors has led to senseless violence and intimidation of Jewish students on college campuses." 

"Columbia University leadership is failing at its most basic obligation to ensure the safety of its Jewish students and faculty. The administration has pledged to confront the scourge of antisemitic hate metastasizing on campus. Now, it must do much more to meet its words with action by controlling these protestors and creating a campus environment where Jewish and Israeli students can safely move around and access their education."

About ACF: Alums for Campus Fairness (ACF) leverages the unique power of alumni to combat antisemitism on college campuses. ACF helps organize and cultivate alumni chapters for colleges and universities across the country, equipping members with tools, tactics, and training to proactively engage with administrators. Learn more at www.campusfairness.org.