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Edited by: TJVNews.com
In a chilling demonstration of hate speech and incitement, the Columbia University chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) has sparked nationwide outrage after distributing a publication titled The Columbia Intifada. According to a report that appeared on Tuesday on the Yeshiva World News web site, this four-page newspaper explicitly supported violence and terrorism against Israel, glorifying intifadas—uprisings historically marked by widespread attacks on Israeli civilians. The content has drawn fierce condemnation from public officials, advocacy groups, and the broader Jewish community.
The Columbia Intifada contained inflammatory articles such as “Zionist Peace Means Palestinian Blood” and “The Myth of the Two-State Solution,” perpetuating narratives that reject peaceful resolutions and endorse conflict. YWN also reported that the publication not only espoused hateful rhetoric but also provided step-by-step instructions for “wheatpasting” anti-Israel propaganda across public spaces, attempting to normalize hostility toward Israel on campus.
A total of 1,000 copies of the newspaper were distributed at Columbia, marking an alarming effort to spread its divisive message. The name of the publication itself, a direct reference to the intifadas responsible for the deaths of thousands of Israelis, compounded its offensive nature.
The distribution of The Columbia Intifada has drawn immediate and vocal backlash. Congressman Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) labeled the publication “outrageous” and demanded strong action from Columbia University to protect its Jewish students, according to the information in the YWN report. “If Columbia cannot protect Jewish students on their campus, they should lose federal funding and their tax-exempt status,” Lawler stated emphatically.
Columbia University has faced scrutiny for its handling of SJP, which was temporarily suspended in November 2023 for unauthorized protests following the October 7 Hamas terror attacks. In light of the recent controversy, the university has launched an investigation into the use of its name in a publication that glorifies violence, as was indicated in the YWN report. A university spokesperson described the incident as a “breach of our values,” signaling a potential escalation of disciplinary measures against SJP.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) also condemned the publication in no uncertain terms. ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt referred to the newspaper as “beyond offensive” and described it as a direct act of incitement. “This is incitement, plain and simple,” Greenblatt said, urging Columbia’s administration to take decisive action against those responsible.
This incident raises serious questions about the balance between free speech and hate speech in academic settings. Columbia University, which prides itself on fostering diverse perspectives, now faces mounting pressure to act decisively against SJP to demonstrate that incitement and bigotry will not be tolerated.
As the investigation unfolds, students, parents, and advocacy groups are closely watching Columbia’s next steps. The publication of The Columbia Intifada serves as a stark reminder of the challenges universities face in addressing hate while maintaining an environment conducive to intellectual discourse.
The incident also calls attention to the urgent need for institutions to uphold their values and ensure that campuses remain spaces for respectful dialogue.
