The Trump Administration’s Intimidating Impact on Columbia’s Antisemitism Policies
In response to Columbia University announcing new policies related to its approach to antisemitism, including its incorporation of the IHRA definition of antisemitism into the work of its Office of Institutional Equity, Nexus Project National Director Jonathan Jacoby released the following statement:
“Antisemitism is a serious and complex problem, on college campuses and beyond. While it’s very important for Columbia to address and prevent antisemitism, it is deeply concerning that it continues to give in to the Trump Administration’s weaponization of antisemitism as a means towards undermining academic freedom. By stripping away $400 million in federal funding for Columbia without legitimate cause, the administration is forcing the university to comply with its own partisan ideological agenda and dictates – even though many are not in the best interests of its Jewish and non-Jewish students.
“No one institution or definition has a monopoly on explaining or responding to antisemitism. Serious concerns have been raised about the IHRA definition’s overly broad approach, which automatically categorizes a wide range of anti-Zionism and political opposition to Israel as antisemitic. The IHRA definition’s original author, Ken Stern, has made clear that he never intended for it to be incorporated as a speech code by universities or governments.
“There is a very serious danger that the new policies adopted by Columbia could be used to advance the Trump Administration’s sweeping crackdown on free speech, open debate and academic independence – including the arrest and deportation of students. These authoritarian actions by the Trump Administration are undermining the democratic freedoms and institutions that have helped the American Jewish community to thrive.
“There are several respected definitions of antisemitism, including the Nexus Definition, which was created by a task force of academics and antisemitism experts – and acknowledges the complexity and nuance of debates about Israel and when they cross the line into antisemitism. It is harmful and wrong to insist that any one definition of antisemitism has the universal support of the Jewish community – and wrong to allow the extreme-right Trump administration to dictate the policies of our major academic institutions.
“Instead of yielding to intimidation, Columbia and other institutions should listen to a wide range of Jewish expert voices, and adopt an approach that emphasizes education, mutual understanding and student well-being over aggressive punitive action and suppressing speech. The Nexus Project stands ready to work with any institution committed to this democratic, responsible approach to keeping students safe.”