Columbia University banned a student protest leader, Khymani James, from campus after a video resurfaced showing them making inflammatory remarks against Zionists. The university did not provide specific details about the ban or disciplinary proceedings but stated that students involved in mocking and threatening Jewish people will be held accountable. James, a member of Columbia University Apartheid Divest, made comments in the video comparing Zionists to Nazis and calling for them not to live comfortably. The video resurfaced amidst demonstrations protesting Israel’s war against Hamas and calls for schools to divest from companies doing business with Israel.
The resurfaced video has sparked discussion on antisemitism on college campuses and the ongoing protests at Columbia. Pro-Palestinian encampments and demonstrations have led to clashes between protesters and arrests, with Jewish students reporting instances of antisemitism. Talks between protesters and administrators at Columbia about dismantling the encampment are ongoing. James released a statement expressing regret for their comments, acknowledging that they were wrong and not reflective of CUAD’s values. They clarified that their initial comments were made before joining CUAD and the Gaza Solidarity Encampment, which do not condone such rhetoric.
In response to the video, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates emphasized that violent rhetoric, hate speech, and antisemitic remarks have no place in America. Bates condemned the advocating for the murder of Jews as hideous and a wakeup call for society. James, who uses he/she/they pronouns, addressed the comments made in the video, stating that they were feeling upset at the time due to online targeting because of their queer and Black identity. James mentioned that their statements were edited without context, and they did not understand why they were seen as problematic.
The Columbia administration did not disclose the circumstances surrounding James’ ban or further disciplinary actions. The university officials have condemned the antisemitic rhetoric and emphasized that mocking and threatening Jewish people is unacceptable. James’ comments comparing Zionists to white supremacists and Nazis have sparked controversy and raised concerns about the line between free speech and hate speech on college campuses. The ongoing protests at Columbia and other campuses highlight the complex issues surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the importance of engaging in respectful dialogue to address differences.
Despite the controversy surrounding James’ comments, CUAD reiterated its commitment to peaceful protest and continued calls for divestment from Israel’s actions against Palestinians. The group distanced themselves from James’ statements, emphasizing that they do not align with CUAD’s values or community guidelines. The impact of the video and subsequent response from the university and White House underscores the need for continued conversations and education around antisemitism, hate speech, and respectful dialogue on college campuses and in society at large.
