By: Fern Sidman

In a move aimed at preempting unrest, Columbia University issued a stern warning to its community following reports that more than 100 activists met in Brooklyn to organize an anti-Israel encampment on its campus. According to a report on Monday at The Jewish News Syndicate (JNS), the university made clear in an email to students, faculty, and staff that camping and encampments are strictly prohibited on university property and would be met with immediate enforcement action.

As reported by JNS, Columbia’s administration stated unequivocally that any attempt to erect tents or encampments would lead to the removal of the structures, restricted access to impacted areas, and potential broader limitations on campus entry. “Participants will be instructed to disperse,” Columbia’s statement read, according to JNS, warning that those who refused to comply could face disciplinary sanctions, removal from campus, and even possible arrest.

The university emphasized that its priority remains the safety of its community and the uninterrupted continuation of academic activities. The JNS report noted that Columbia reassured students and staff that campus operations were proceeding normally and pledged that any violations of university policies would be addressed immediately and firmly.

The planned protests were shrouded in secrecy, with organizers reportedly using coded language to avoid detection. According to JNS, NBC News uncovered screenshots of encrypted Signal messages revealing that the activists deliberately avoided using the word “encampment,” instead referring to the protest under the codename “the circus.” Participants were also advised against wearing masks upon arrival to avoid drawing the attention of security personnel.

Speaking to NBC, and cited by JNS, one attendee of the planning meeting noted that the organizing efforts this year felt “much more organized and careful” compared to previous demonstrations. Encampments were tentatively scheduled for April 24 and April 25, raising concerns that they could escalate tensions on the Columbia campus.

Columbia University has been at the center of an intensifying national debate about antisemitism on college campuses. In recent months, the school has faced widespread criticism for its perceived failure to adequately protect Jewish students from hostility and harassment. The federal government, particularly under the Trump administration’s more aggressive stance, has increased scrutiny of universities’ handling of anti-Jewish hate incidents — a pressure Columbia is acutely feeling.

Had the planned “circus” proceeded, it would have marked the first tent city on campus since students occupied a university building last year, an episode that significantly tarnished Columbia’s reputation for campus safety and order, as reported by JNS.

In a broader context, the JNS report pointed out that the resurgence of organized anti-Israel activism on campus reflects a troubling trend across elite American universities. Institutions like Columbia, often celebrated for their commitment to diversity and free inquiry, now find themselves at the crossroads of free speech, public safety, and rising antisemitism.

By taking a hard line against unauthorized protests disguised as “encampments,” Columbia’s leadership, according to JNS, is attempting to prevent the campus from becoming a flashpoint for deeper unrest. Whether these measures will succeed in preserving campus order — and reassuring Jewish students that their safety is a university priority — remains to be seen.

For now, Columbia has sent a strong signal: disruptive, unlawful demonstrations will not be tolerated. But the broader challenge of restoring trust and addressing the roots of anti-Israel hostility on campus remains an urgent and unresolved task, as JNS rightly emphasizes in its reporting.