Columbia University Apartheid Divest retracts apology for member’s controversial statement about Zionists.
Columbia University Apartheid Divest, the pro-Palestinian group that initiated the student encampment movement at Columbia University in response to the Israel-Hamas conflict, has recently adopted a more militant stance in its rhetoric. The group openly expresses support for armed resistance and militant groups fighting against Israel, retracting a previous apology issued after a member’s controversial statement about Zionists.
In a statement revoking the apology, Columbia University Apartheid Divest declared, “We support liberation by any means necessary, including armed resistance.” The group commemorated the anniversary of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by distributing a newspaper with a headline referencing Hamas, titled “One Year Since Al-Aqsa Flood, Revolution Until Victory.” The publication featured a picture of Hamas fighters breaching the security fence to Israel. Additionally, the group shared an essay praising the attack as a “moral, military, and political victory,” quoting Ismail Haniyeh, the late former political leader of Hamas.
On Oct. 7, the group posted on Telegram, stating, “The Palestinian resistance is moving their struggle to a new phase of escalation, and it is our duty to meet them there. It is our duty to fight for our freedom!” This shift in rhetoric presents a challenge for university administrators, who must navigate how to address students and student groups advocating for such positions. While these statements are protected under the First Amendment, they could potentially prompt federal investigations into campus antisemitism or result in on-campus disciplinary actions if they are perceived to create a hostile environment for Jewish students.
Ben Chang, a spokesperson for Columbia University, emphasized that “Statements advocating for violence or harm are antithetical to the core principles upon which this institution was founded.” University officials will need to carefully consider how to address the growing militancy within student groups like Columbia University Apartheid Divest while upholding the values of free speech and ensuring a safe and inclusive campus environment for all students.
Source: The NY Times
