Columbia University Pres. Criticized Over Gaza Protests

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Facts

• Columbia University's campus oversight panel has criticized Pres. Nemat Minouche Shafik for summoning the police to tackle students protesting the Israel-Gaza war.¹
• On April 17, pro-Palestinian students reportedly set up 50 'Gaza Solidarity' tents that the police dismantled the next day, arresting over 100 protesters.²
• The university's senate cleared a resolution Friday demanding that the Shafik administration be probed for allegedly violating protocols, academic freedom, and the rights of faculty and students.³
• Shafik, a former World Bank and IMF official, is also facing criticism from conservative lawmakers and religious groups for failing to stem antisemitism on the Columbia campus.⁴
• Egypt-born Shafik, who holds dual US-UK citizenship and is a former London School of Economics president, came to head Columbia in July 2023.⁵
• The Columbia University Board of Trustees has strongly backed her amid the turmoil for taking 'a thoughtful approach to resolving conflict' and 'a firm stance against hatred.'⁶

Sources: ¹Al Jazeera, ²France 24, ³Independent, ⁴CNN, ⁵The Telegraph and ⁶The Washington Times.

Narratives

• Left narrative, as provided by Guardian. Encouraging dissent in universities fosters real learning by challenging ideas. Recent events at Columbia University, threatening protesters, highlight the need for open debate. Universities should protect free expression, embrace diverse views, and prioritize education over silencing dissent.
• Right narrative, as provided by New York Post. Calls for Shafik's swift removal stem from her failure to address campus antisemitism. Criticisms include inadequate campus management, lack of Jewish student safety assurance, and failure to combat antisemitism, showcasing leadership deficiencies and accountability lapses.

Predictions