Anti-Israel Protests at Columbia University Raise Questions of Foreign Funding and Coordination

An expert suggests that surging anti-Israel sentiment and protests on college campuses, including Columbia University, may be fueled by foreign assistance and coordination, leading to concerns about the influence of extremist groups.

As anti-Israel protests escalate on college campuses, particularly at Columbia University, concerns arise regarding the potential involvement of foreign actors and their influence in fueling the unrest. Dr. Jay Greene, a senior research fellow at The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, believes there is substantial evidence to suspect that foreign assistance and coordination are at play.

Greene cites the striking similarities in the timing, organization, and language used in the protests, which mirror those employed by foreign actors like Hamas and Hezbollah. "These signs include things like having common tents, having those tents all purchased and ready to go. Even the timing of the protests, right on the eve of Passover, this is well-timed to put Jewish students in a disadvantageous position because they'd be away for the holiday," he explains.

Further, Greene highlights the occurrence of "training sessions" organized by Palestinian groups to equip students with talking points aligned with those of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders. "We know that there were these training sessions, we know that there are speeches, we can see similarities in equipment. We can see similarities in language," Greene says.

During a "Resistance 101" seminar at Columbia University, students were told by speakers that "there is nothing wrong with being a fighter in Hamas." Charlotte Kates, an international coordinator for Samidoun, a Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, stated that anti-Israel agitators at Columbia and Barnard are "the people who are on the front lines defending Palestine and fighting for its liberation."

The House Committee on Education and the Workforce has also raised concerns about the involvement of Khaled Barakat, a speaker at the Columbia seminar, who is linked to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a U.S.-designated terrorist organization. During the webinar, Barakat emphasized the support provided by Hamas and Islamic Jihad, expressing that they "don't care what Biden says, what Kamala Harris says."

Greene emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive government investigation into the flow of funds and organizational structure of groups like Samidoun, who operate without a 501c3 designation. "Over time, that same kind of investigation could occur here. And it could well reveal similar kinds of problems, but it requires a significant government intervention," he says.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has questioned the source of the tents used in the protests, noting their apparent uniformity and suggesting external organization. "Was there a fire sale on those tents? So there’s organizing going on," Adams said. He also identified "outside agitators" involved in the unrest.

In an interview, NYPD Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry noted the presence of "known professional agitators" at the protests, who aimed to provoke officers into violent reactions to create images of police brutality. Greene commends city officials for their attention to the potential foreign influence but stresses the need for federal involvement due to the international scope and potential involvement of classified materials.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, who visited Columbia's campus in support of Jewish students, warned that if the threats and intimidation were not contained quickly and effectively, the National Guard's intervention might become necessary. "We have to bring order to these campuses," he said.

NYPD officials require approval from Columbia leadership to enter the campus and make arrests, citing restrictions on entering private property unless a crime is in progress. Rep. Anthony D'Esposito condemned "terrorist sympathizers" and denounced those protesters who expressed pride in Hamas' endorsement, labeling them as "part of the problem."