Columbia University President Resigns Over Gaza Protests
Columbia University President Resigns Over Gaza Protests
The Facts
Columbia University President Minouche Shafik resigned from her post Wednesday, citing the "considerable toll" on her and her family after she received sustained criticism — in addition to threats and abuse — for her handling of the Gaza protests that broke out on the university campus.Columbia University President Minouche Shafik resigned from her post Wednesday, citing the "considerable toll" on her and her family after she received sustained criticism — in addition to "threats and abuse" — for her handling of the Gaza protests that broke out on the university campus.
In becoming the third Ivy League president to step down over the protests, she was criticized by pro-Israel and pro-Palestine factions alike. On one hand, for allegedly failing to protect Jewish students. On the other, for allowing officers from the New York Police Department to enter the campus in order to breakup the student encampments, leading to hundreds of arrests.In becoming the third Ivy League president to step down over the protests, she was criticized by pro-Israel and pro-Palestine factions alike. On one hand, for allegedly failing to protect Jewish students, and on the other hand for allowing officers from the New York Police Department to enter the campus in order to breakup the student encampments, leading to hundreds of arrests.
The Spin
Shafik fell short of her responsibilities as the president of Columbia University, particularly in failing to protect Jewish students and stopping the spread of antisemitism on campus. Among her sins was saying that a slogan that calls for the extermination of Jews was not a breach of university policy. It's right that she be replaced.
After Shafik allowed the New York Police Department on campus — leading to dozens of arrests as well as many students left bloodied and battered — she thanked the police for their "professionalism." This was a betrayal of her students and after this, her position at the university was no longer sustainable.
