Staff Reports
Barnard College in New York City has become the epicenter of a heated controversy after anti-Israel protesters stormed an administrative building, allegedly assaulting a staff member and disrupting campus life. The protests, organized by groups like Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), were sparked by the expulsion of two students who had disrupted a Columbia University class on modern Israeli history. The demonstrators demanded the reinstatement of the expelled students, amnesty for others disciplined in prior protests, and changes to Barnard’s disciplinary policies. However, their aggressive tactics have drawn sharp criticism and raised serious concerns about safety and antisemitism on campus.
The protests escalated when masked individuals forcibly entered Milbank Hall, chanting slogans, vandalizing property with anti-Israel messages, and reportedly assaulting a Barnard employee who required hospitalization. Jewish students, already feeling targeted by the protesters’ rhetoric, now face an environment of heightened fear and tension. Rachel Kaufman, a sophomore at Barnard, expressed frustration over the disruption to her education and the lack of strong action from administrators. “We’re here to learn,” she said, “but instead, we’re dealing with chaos that makes it impossible to focus on academics.”
The college’s response to the protests has been criticized as inadequate by both students and observers. While Barnard President Laura Rosenbury condemned the violence and emphasized the importance of community safety, many believe the administration’s attempts to negotiate with masked protesters sent the wrong message. Shoshana Aufzien, a freshman at Barnard, called the school’s response “pathetic,” arguing that stronger measures should have been taken to restore order immediately. She noted that allowing such behavior to go unchecked only emboldens further disruptions.
This incident is part of a broader trend of rising antisemitism on college campuses across the United States, often under the guise of anti-Israel activism. The Biden administration recently announced a Federal Task Force to Combat Antisemitism on campuses, which will visit institutions like Barnard to address these issues. Jewish leaders have praised the initiative but stress that more immediate action is needed to protect students from harassment and ensure their right to learn in a safe environment.
This situation underscores the dangers of unchecked campus radicalism and weak administrative leadership. The protesters’ actions not only violated campus policies but also created an atmosphere of intimidation that undermined free speech and academic integrity. Critics argue that universities must enforce strict consequences for such behavior to prevent further escalation. As one commentator noted, “Actions have consequences, and negotiating with those who break rules only encourages more lawlessness.”
The events at Barnard highlight a growing divide on college campuses over issues of free speech, safety, and accountability. For Jewish students like Kaufman, the priority is clear: they want their voices heard and their rights respected in an environment free from fear. As protests continue to ripple through academia nationwide, universities will need to strike a delicate balance between allowing free expression and ensuring that all students feel secure in pursuing their education.
