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The Controversy Surrounding Professor Shai Davidai’s Suspension and Free Speech at Columbia University
Edited by: Fern Sidman
In a recent and highly controversial decision, Columbia University suspended Professor Shai Davidai after he exposed faculty members allegedly advocating for the genocide of Jews. Davidai, an assistant professor at Columbia’s business school since 2019, became a whistleblower after revealing disturbing rhetoric within the university, which called for violence against Jews. Rather than addressing these serious allegations, Columbia chose to suspend Davidai, sparking widespread criticism and raising questions about free speech and academic freedom.
#CANADA #TORONTO #BATHURST & #SHEPPARD
We had two events today.
First, Shai Daviday @ShaiDavidai came today to Toronto’s Jews Peaceful Rally and supported us.
Second, pro-terrorists, pro-rapists, pro-pedophiles camera today to celebrate with Jewish people #elimination of… pic.twitter.com/zgOJuKbAPx
— n_aroma🎗💙🤍🇮🇱🇨🇦 (@nira_aroma) October 20, 2024
Davidai’s suspension has ignited public outrage, with many accusing Columbia University of targeting the wrong party. Supporters of Davidai argue that the university’s response is an alarming example of silencing those who stand up against hate speech. Critics are calling for the university to explain why it has not dealt with the faculty members allegedly involved in such dangerous rhetoric. The situation highlights concerns over how institutions of higher learning respond to accusations of hate speech and whether they prioritize protecting marginalized groups or preserving their image.
For the record, Johanna King-Slutzsky, a pro-HMS apologist who led the occupation of Hamilton Hall, was hired by @Columbia to teach a required undergrad course on “Contemporary Western Civilization”…
While Shai Davidai has been suspended for calling out antisemitism on campus. pic.twitter.com/aeG2JwY8jo
— The Persian Jewess (@persianjewess) October 17, 2024
The suspension of Davidai has become a flashpoint for debates surrounding free speech, academic freedom, and the university’s handling of protests and dissent on campus. Davidai, a Jewish Israeli professor, was temporarily banned from certain aspects of university life following his involvement in a memorial service on October 7th, which commemorated the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust, as reported by CNN. The attacks, carried out by Hamas in Israel in 2023, claimed the lives of more than 1,200 Israelis and remain a source of deep pain and trauma for the Jewish community.
Solidarity with Jewish assistant Professor @ShaiDavidai
Columbia University have suspended him for standing up for Jewish students and exposing their shameful antisemitism
This man took on the spread of Hamas Terrorist support on a campus known worldwide for the abuse and… pic.twitter.com/eKxaX8q2TM
— Kosher🎗🧡 (@koshercockney) October 16, 2024
Davidai’s temporary ban, which CNN notes was issued shortly after he participated in the memorial service, has drawn significant attention due to the circumstances surrounding it. Davidai recorded and posted videos online confronting university officials, questioning why pro-Hamas protests were permitted on campus on such a sensitive date. Davidai himself encouraged people to view the videos and decide whether his actions constituted harassment, as Columbia has suggested. He told CNN, “The only professor that was suspended is the Jewish Israeli professor who called out the support for terrorism on campus.”
Despite not teaching this semester, Davidai remains barred from attending faculty meetings, research seminars, and even entering his office. He described to CNN how this restriction has effectively removed him from university life. The broader controversy is rooted in the memorial event on October 7, 2024, which brought together Jewish students to mark the anniversary of the Hamas-led attacks. According to CNN, Davidai and others in attendance were confronted by students and faculty who protested the memorial, holding signs in support of Hamas and the armed resistance.
Hey @Columbia,
Remember when no one was suspended for this?
Seems like a double standard to me. https://t.co/5DJ3jPhUvZ
— Shai Davidai (@ShaiDavidai) October 18, 2024
The university, in its defense, provided a statement to CNN, claiming that Davidai’s suspension was not due to his whistleblowing but because of his alleged misconduct during the events surrounding an October 7 commemoration. “Because Assistant Professor Davidai repeatedly harassed and intimidated University employees in violation of University policy, we have temporarily limited his access to campus while he undertakes appropriate training on our policies governing the behavior of our employees,” a university spokesperson told CNN. This response from Columbia has done little to quell the outcry, with many seeing the punishment as an attempt to deflect attention from the more serious issue of calls for genocide by university faculty.
Prof. @ShaiDavidai exposed @Columbia faculty who are openly calling for genocide of Jews. So the university suspended *him*!
You can’t make this up 🤯 pic.twitter.com/iqkLoXtRlt
— Dr. Eli David (@DrEliDavid) October 17, 2024
Davidai’s case has brought to the forefront broader concerns about free speech and academic responsibility at universities, especially in the face of hate speech targeting specific communities. According to CNN, Columbia has maintained that Davidai’s freedom of speech is intact, stating, “His freedom of speech has not been limited and is not being limited now. Columbia, however, does not tolerate threats of intimidation, harassment, or other threatening behavior by its employees.” Yet, many argue that suspending Davidai sends a chilling message to those who might speak out against hate speech, raising fears that the university is more focused on protecting itself than addressing the harmful ideologies festering within its walls.
NEW YORK CITY
Columbia University Suspended Professor Shai Davidai After He Exposed Faculty Advocating Genocide of Jews.
Professor Shai Davidai of Columbia University recently took a bold step by exposing faculty members who were openly advocating for the genocide of Jews.
In… pic.twitter.com/GzROjOrot9— Yisrael official 🇮🇱 🎗 (@YisraelOfficial) October 20, 2024
Davidai expressed his shock at the protests, drawing a stark analogy for CNN, saying, “It’s horrific and unbelievable. Imagine protesting the memorial for the Tulsa massacre. That’s what it feels like for Jews when October 7th was protested.” His frustration underscores the sense of vulnerability felt by many in the Jewish community when faced with public displays of support for Hamas, a group that is widely recognized for its violent tactics. However, Davidai also acknowledged that these protests, no matter how painful, fall under the protection of free speech.
The actions that led to Davidai’s suspension began when he recorded university employees during the memorial service and shared the footage on his social media platform, which boasts over 100,000 followers. CNN reported that in one video, he confronted Cas Holloway, Columbia’s chief operating officer, demanding to know how the university allowed pro-Palestinian protests to occur on October 7th. “How did you allow this to happen on Oct. 7?” Davidai asked Holloway in the video, adding, “You have to do your job. And I will not let you rest if they won’t let us rest.”
I stand with Professor Shai Davidai
If you do too, if you have a morale backbone the pass this on
🇮🇱🫵🇮🇱#StandWithShai pic.twitter.com/GuDxvjl812
— Gideon Paul (@gap0161prevent) October 17, 2024
This incident has drawn even more attention due to Columbia’s recent history of handling anti-Semitism. CNN notes that earlier this year, Columbia became the epicenter of pro-Hamas protests on U.S. college campuses, which has raised concerns about the university’s ability to address anti-Semitism effectively. The issue is compounded by the fact that Columbia’s president, Minouche Shafik, stepped down in August after facing criticism over how the university dealt with anti-Semitism and her testimony before the House Education Committee. These events have led many to question whether Columbia University is equipped to handle the complexities of hate speech and free speech on its campus.
Davidai’s case also highlights the tensions between free speech and hate speech in academic settings. While Columbia has defended the students’ right to protest, Davidai’s supporters insist that the university should not have allowed demonstrations supporting Hamas, a group known for terrorist activities, on a day that holds such significant meaning for the Jewish community. The university’s response, which CNN has covered extensively, has sparked a broader conversation about the responsibilities of academic institutions to balance free speech with the need to protect vulnerable communities from hate-filled rhetoric.
Ultimately, this ongoing conflict between Professor Davidai and Columbia University illustrates the difficult and often contentious nature of free speech on college campuses. As the situation develops, questions about how universities navigate such sensitive issues—particularly in cases involving marginalized groups and politically charged protests—will likely continue to stir debate. According to CNN, both Davidai and his critics agree on one thing: the repercussions of this controversy will reverberate far beyond the boundaries of Columbia University.
