Photo Credit:Getty Images
Davidai, an assistant professor at Columbia's business school, planned a peaceful sit-in as a counter-protest to ongoing pro-Palestinian demonstrations. However, his Columbia ID was deactivated, preventing him from accessing the main campus, which is currently restricted to valid ID holders.
The university's chief operating officer, Cas Holloway, met Davidai at the entrance, informing him he would not be allowed in. Davidai's response was one of defiance and assertion of his rights. "I have not just a civil right as a Jewish person to be on campus, I have a right as a professor employed by the university to be on campus," he stated, as supporters echoed with shouts of "shame" and students observed from within the university's boundaries.
The controversy has highlighted the tension between the right to free speech and the safety of Jewish and Israeli students and faculty. Lawmakers and the university are navigating these complex waters, seeking to balance these rights while addressing concerns of antisemitism and threats.
Joseph Howley, a Jewish classics professor, has been supporting students participating in the pro-Palestinian protests. He expressed understanding of the university's decision to prevent Davidai from entering the main campus during this sensitive time.
The situation has been further complicated by a petition started by Columbia's chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine, which has garnered over 8,000 signatures. The petition calls for Davidai's dismissal, accusing him of inciting harassment and violence against pro-Palestine students of color through his social media platforms.
Davidai has become a prominent figure on campus, especially after a video went viral showing him criticizing the university's response to the October 7 attack by Hamas. "We cannot protect your child," he said at a vigil, addressing parents and highlighting the perceived lack of action against pro-terror student organizations.
