Columbia University Students Protest Anti-Israel Protests on Campus

Columbia University students are speaking out against the anti-Israel protests that have plagued their campus, leading to the cancellation of the main commencement ceremony. Students Elisha Baker and Eden Yadegar shared their experiences with Fox News Digital, expressing their disappointment and frustration with the situation.

In a display of defiance, a Columbia University student tore up her diploma on stage during the School of Social Work commencement ceremony on Sunday. The graduate, wearing zip-tie handcuffs and a keffiyeh, ripped the diploma into pieces after being handed it, a symbolic gesture of protest against recent anti-Israel demonstrations on campus.

The incident was part of a coordinated effort by students who wore Arabic garments and zip-ties resembling Palestinian war prisoners. One graduate displayed the name of Hamas leader Mazen Jamal Al-Natsheh on her cap, while others showed off a "Free Palestine" sign.

Columbia University has been grappling with a wave of anti-Israel protests that have resulted in over 100 arrests. The university canceled the main commencement ceremony due to security concerns stemming from these demonstrations.

Elisha Baker, a Columbia student and president of the Columbia Jewish Student Union, expressed her disappointment with the protests and the university's decision to cancel the ceremony. "It's really unfortunate that the university felt that they had to cancel the main commencement because of the protests," she said. "It's a shame that a few people were able to ruin it for everyone else."

Eden Yadegar, another Columbia student and member of the Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine, acknowledged the concerns of Jewish students but emphasized the importance of supporting Palestinian rights. "I think it's important to remember that the protests were not just about anti-Semitism, they were also about supporting Palestinian rights," she said.

Baker countered that the protests had crossed a line into anti-Semitism. "There were a lot of hateful and anti-Semitic things that were said and done during the protests," she said. "It's important to be able to criticize Israel without resorting to anti-Semitism."

The debate over the protests highlights the complex and often divisive nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on American campuses. Columbia University has pledged to address the concerns of both Jewish and Palestinian students, but it remains to be seen how the university will navigate this challenging issue in the future.

In the meantime, students like Baker and Yadegar continue to grapple with the fallout from the protests. Baker expressed her hope that the university would take steps to ensure the safety and well-being of Jewish students on campus. Yadegar reiterated the importance of supporting Palestinian rights while condemning anti-Semitism.

The situation at Columbia University is a reminder of the ongoing tensions and challenges surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on American campuses. As universities strive to foster open and respectful dialogue, they must also balance the rights of all students to express their views while preventing hate speech and discrimination.