Statement on the Passage of the BDS Referendum at Columbia

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 29, 2020

Contact: Avi D. Gordon, Executive Director Alums for Campus Fairness

917-512-4585, [email protected]

 

Alums for Campus Fairness (ACF) condemns the passage of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) referendum at Columbia University. In March 2020, President Bollinger called for the campus community to “be careful and vigilant against legitimate debate turning into anger, then to hatred and demonization, and invidious discrimination.” As the chief representative of Columbia, President Bollinger must denounce this antisemitic and bigoted referendum that targets Jewish identity and isolates Jewish and Zionist students.

We recognize that BDS not only contributes to an environment of antisemitism, but actively promotes antisemitism through the demonization and delegitimization of Israel, the nation state of the Jewish people. Part of ensuring student success requires a commitment to protecting all campus communities from hate and isolation, including the Jewish and pro-Israel community. We will continue to stand by our campus as a marketplace of ideas where antisemitism shall never be accepted. ACF is proud to support the Jewish and Pro-Israel communities at Columbia.

During our campaign against BDS, ACF was inspired by the dedication of pro-Israel student leaders and Columbia/Barnard Hillel, both in organizing against the BDS Referendum and in working to ensure a fair campus environment for all Columbia students. ACF is proud to be a partner of the campus community and looks forward to continuing our work to counter antisemitism and ensure safe and open dialogue for all at Columbia.

 

About ACF: Alums for Campus Fairness (ACF) is America’s unified alumni voice on issues of antisemitism, demonization of Israel, and bigotry. With over forty chapters, ACF positions thousands of alumni on the front lines of key issues at their alma maters and works to ensure that universities remain pillars of open dialogue and equal opportunity for all students. For more information, please visit www.campusfairness.org.