The Issue: Responses to divisive Pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University.
Columbia professor here, someone who has taught at the university for nearly 25 years (“Columbia Surrenders,” April 24).
The Post is having a field day with the tumult on our campus.
But get the facts straight: Classes have not been moved entirely online.
I will be teaching live, in a classroom overlooking the main quad encampment.
We are providing a hybrid option for any student who feels unsafe attending in person.
I have made that accommodation for one of my students.
I am horrified by the antisemitism that has reared its head around Columbia — my father fled Germany with his first wife, who was Jewish.
But to advocate for the Palestinian people in the wake of the horrific destruction of Gaza is not antisemitic, nor does it deny the awful events of Oct. 7.
To protect students’ right to protest — as American as apple pie — does not equal wishing harm to others.
Katherine Dieckmann
Manhattan
Many years ago when I was in academia, a very popular joke was: “What’s the difference between a tenured professor and a terrorist?”
The answer: “You can negotiate with a terrorist.”
Well, Columbia administrators have surrendered to the protesting professors.
So the joke looks to be true.
Frank Brady
Yonkers
The very notion that the Palestinian people are owed humanity is being branded as an antisemitic rallying cry.
Yet we see so many Jewish students in these encampments congregating in communities they’ve made for themselves, celebrating Passover and loving their faith all while understanding the simple moral and theological truth that Palestinians have a right to their land.
There is a difference between antisemitism and anti-Zionism.
We should support all students in their acts of protest against crimes against humanity that the United States continues to fund.
They are well within their rights to protest, and arresting people for simply exercising their First Amendment rights is abhorrent.
Protesters’ responses match the gravity of the unfair actions taken against them.
Elaine Haggerty
Brooklyn
Robert Kraft has proven to be a blessing not only for American Jewry but for the Jewish people worldwide (“Stand up to Jew hatred,” April 25).
Antisemitism runs rampant simply because so many continue to remain silent and refuse to make their voices heard.
Kraft does not waver or kowtow to the antisemites in academia or in society at large.
He inspires us to react and to face our enemies as a unified and proud people.
Sheldon P. Hersh
Lawrence
There is much to be said about Noah Rubin’s emotion-filled but evidence-empty article (“Turning into Hamas U,” April 23).
I will touch on only a few points.
His phrase “pro-Hamas” appears six times to falsely equate Hamas with students seeking life and justice for the Palestinian people.
Allowing these protests, he says, will possibly destroy the US university system, but he ignores the fact that these protests exist partially because all the universities in Gaza have already been completely destroyed by US-gifted, Israeli-dropped bombs.
Thomas O’Connell
Sayville
I applaud House Speaker Mike Johnson for standing up to the threats of antisemitism and rightfully calling for President Minouche Shafik to step down (“The loud speaker: Out,” April 25).
Columbia has revealed its true ideological colors and allegiances.
Ronald G. Frank
Pleasant Valley
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