Columbia University.Photo: ggtravel.
Professor Shai David was banned from the Columbia University campus after he entered into a discussion with pro-Arab activists who were celebrating the anniversary of the 7 October events. This was reported by israelinfo.
Reasons for the suspension
The university released a statement saying that “the suspension was the result of numerous cases of harassment and intimidation of employees, which is a violation of the institution’s policy”.
The 7 October conflict
Shai David took part in an event on 7 October to mark the anniversary of the horrific events. During the ceremony, he filmed his confrontation with other university staff members who welcomed the Hamas attack and shared it on social media. In a video published on 7 October, the professor addressed Columbia University manager Kes Holloway, calling on the administration to take action against protesters who spoke out against Israel.
Professor’s reaction
“How did you allow this to happen on 7 October?” asked David. “You have to fulfil your duties, and I will not leave you alone if they do not leave us alone. You make Israeli students cry, but you don’t show up.” In one of the videos, he sings the Israeli national anthem against the backdrop of a large pro-Arab protest.
Continuation of the conflict
Shai David has repeatedly become the centre of attention at Columbia University, provoking conflicts and scandals. In April, he announced in advance on social media that he was coming to campus to “confront” a large pro-Arab demonstration, which led to a violent rally against his person. The professor gave an emotional speech to the protesters, which was widely reported in the Israeli media, and he was called “a symbol of the fight against anti-Semitism in leading US universities”.
Position after suspension
After his suspension, Shai David wrote: “A few months ago, I told my mother that I would expel anti-Semitism from the university. I was naive or stupid. I am depressed, but not broken; I must continue to fight for my children’s future. For some reason, the American public is much more sensitive to my speaking out against Hamas and Hizbullah supporters than to my support for Jewish students. This shows us what the US priorities are. The only professor who was suspended was a professor of Israeli-Jewish descent who spoke out against support for terrorism on campus.”
