Overview

• Masked demonstrators entered a History of Modern Israel class at Columbia University, distributing flyers with violent imagery and antisemitic messages, including calls to 'Burn Zionism to the Ground.'
• The disruption occurred on the first day of the spring semester and targeted a course taught by visiting Israeli historian Avi Shilon, who emphasized the class's balanced approach to Israeli and Palestinian narratives.
• Columbia's interim president, Katrina Armstrong, condemned the incident as a violation of academic freedom and university policies, pledging a swift investigation and disciplinary action against those responsible.
• In response, the university has increased security, including posting guards outside Jewish and Israel-related courses, and introduced measures like ID badge requirements for building access.
• The incident reflects ongoing tensions on campus, with Columbia previously criticized for its handling of antisemitism and anti-Israel protests, including last year's controversial Gaza Solidarity Encampment.