Fern Sidman

Mayhem in Morningside Heights! – Police Arrest 100 Anti-Israeli Protesters at Columbia U

Jewish Students at Columbia U Applaud Removal of Anti-Israel Protesters

The situation on U.S. university campuses has become increasingly fraught. Jewish students and faculty report that the demonstrations, ostensibly aimed at protesting Israeli policy, have devolved into episodes of anti-Semitic harassment and even outright calls for violence against Jewish individuals, as was noted in the TOI report. According to these reports, some activists have not only protested Israel’s policies but have also voiced support for Hamas’s actions, including the tragic massacre of 1200 Israeli civilians on October 7.

Protesters in Los Angeles, many of them Jewish, participate in a rally to demand an immediate ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, as well as an end to U.S. military aid to Israel, Nov. 15, 2023. Credit: Ringo Chiu/Shutterstock.

NYPD Disbands Anti-Israel Encampment at Fordham University Amid Rising Campus Tensions

The professor also reflected on her efforts, along with the Jewish Faculty Administrators and Staff (JFAS), to work collaboratively with the Rutgers administration to enhance Jewish life on campus. According to the Post report, she expressed regret over what she now considers a “misguided” approach, suggesting that more assertive actions might have spurred the university into action, akin to the tactics used by the anti-Israel groups. The report in the Post also said that Cypess posed a rhetorical question: “If JFAS had pitched tents on Voorhees Mall, unfurled hateful banners from Murray Hall, and forced the cancellation of hundreds of exams, would our recommendations have been implemented?”

Fierce Clashes Between Pro-Palestinian Protestors & Police Break Out in Athens Edited by: Fern Sidman In the heart of Athens on Tuesday, tensions flared as more than 300 protesters convened outside the parliament building, voicing their dissent against the recent Israeli military operations in the southern part of the Gaza Strip known as Rafah. According […]

Edited by: Fern Sidman In response to weeks of escalating student protests, Columbia University announced a significant alteration to its traditional commencement arrangements. Citing security concerns and ongoing disruptions, the university has decided to cancel its main commencement ceremony, opting instead for smaller, school-level ceremonies, according to a report on Monday in the New York […]

In a recent and dramatic development in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, Israel has launched a ground operation in Rafah, seizing control of the strategic border crossing between Gaza and Egypt. This move signifies a significant escalation, positioning Rafah as Hamas’s final stronghold in the region.

Faculty at NYC’s New School Erect Anti-Israel Encampment in Effort to Support Student Protesters