Three Columbia University staff members had been suspended after a text chat had been leaked in which they mocked a panel on Jewish campus life and safety concerns.
The exchanges show the university officials downplaying students’ concerns about antisemitism and bashing the head of the school’s Hillel.
Charges were dropped against 30 students, and 13 more were offered an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal.
During the May 31 panel, titled “Jewish Life on Campus: Past, Present, and Future,” four administrators texted each other while the panelists discussed campus antisemitism.
Jewish Voice for Peace Columbia, Students for Justice in Palestine Columbia, and CUAD, a coalition of around 100 students groups, published on Instagram a statement of support for Casey Goonan.
The suspect, Maxwell Friedman, who also goes by Malaika, was charged with four counts of assault and other offenses for allegedly striking the Israeli student with a stick on October 11.
The settlement is a major development in Jewish groups’ efforts to hold universities accountable in light of a reported increase in campus antisemitism since Oct. 7.
“The majority of the people of Colombia recognize this long tradition and history of relationship and friendship with the Jewish people,” Galán said.
To be a Jew has always meant to be on guard against shande and brace for the antisemitic backlash.
Violent actions such as looting, destruction of property and bodily harm to pro-Israel students accompany protests in support of the Palestinians.
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