Under Fire from Trump, Columbia Finally Cracks Down on Antisemitism

Columbia University announced sweeping reforms to combat antisemitism on campus, including adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism and cutting ties with a pro-Hamas student group, following intense federal pressure and a $400 million cut in government funding. The changes come nearly two years after anti-Israel protests erupted on campus, fueled by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza.

The university faced multiple federal investigations, with one concluding that Columbia exhibited “deliberate indifference” toward harassment of Jewish students since October 2023. Jewish students reported being targeted with slurs like “go back to Poland” and “stop killing children” during campus demonstrations, which escalated to the point of forcing classes online and requiring New York police to clear protest encampments. The Trump administration’s decision in March to slash $400 million in grants and contracts intensified scrutiny on the university’s handling of antisemitic incidents.

In a letter to the campus community, Acting President Claire Shipman outlined the new measures, emphasizing the formal adoption of the IHRA definition of antisemitism, first endorsed by 31 member states in 2016. The definition identifies contemporary examples of antisemitism, such as “denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination” by labeling Israel’s existence as a “racist endeavor” or holding Jews collectively responsible for Israel’s actions. “The formal incorporation of this definition will strengthen our response to and our community’s understanding of modern antisemitism,” Shipman wrote.

Columbia will also appoint new Title VI and VII coordinators to handle discrimination complaints, including those based on “Jewish and Israeli identity,” and partner with the Anti-Defamation League and the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism for enhanced training. Starting in the 2025-26 academic year, the university will regularly communicate a “Zero Tolerance for Antisemitism and Hate” policy. Most notably, Shipman declared that Columbia will no longer recognize or engage with Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD), the student group behind last spring’s pro-Hamas encampments that demanded divestment from companies tied to Israel.

“Organizations that promote violence or encourage disruptions of our academic mission are not welcome on our campuses,” Shipman wrote. CUAD’s protests, which spread to universities nationwide, led to disciplinary actions against students, including suspensions and expulsions for occupying academic buildings.

CUAD responded on X, criticizing the reforms as an attempt to “criminalize dissent.” “Columbia and Harvard adopting the IHRA definition of antisemitism is a bold step toward protecting students — from having to hear critiques of genocide, apparently,” the group posted, warning that the definition could become standard across higher education to suppress criticism of Israel.

Shipman acknowledged the role of government pressure but insisted the reforms reflect a broader institutional commitment. “The fact that we’ve faced pressure from the government does not make the problems on our campuses any less real,” she wrote, adding that any agreement with federal authorities is “only a starting point for change.”

The reforms mark a significant shift for Columbia, which has faced growing criticism for its handling of campus protests and antisemitism. As the university moves to implement these changes, the debate over balancing free speech and combating hate continues to roil campuses nationwide.