Columbia Law School Dean provides balanced perspective on Hamas’s attacks in Israel.
The Dean of Columbia Law School Whitewashes Worst Terrorist Attack in Israeli History
The dean of Columbia Law School, Gillian Lester, released a statement on Monday lamenting the “violence that erupted in Israel and Gaza” without acknowledging the massacre that initiated it.
The statement failed to mention Hamas’s responsibility for the attack, which resulted in the deaths of over 900 Israelis, including the targeting of innocent civilians who were subjected to horrific acts such as gang rape.
“The violence that erupted in Israel and Gaza this past weekend is nothing short of tragic,” Lester wrote in an email to students. “I know many in our community have been affected, both directly and indirectly, by the sudden escalation of conflict and the fear and uncertainty that have followed as the situation on the ground continues to evolve.”
However, Lester’s statement noticeably omitted any mention of anti-Semitism or the Jewish people, in stark contrast to her previous response when a swastika was found in the law school bathroom. At that time, she strongly condemned the symbol as being “starkly antithetical to our core values.”
Jewish students at Columbia University expressed their concern over this disparity in statements.
“It reflects an inability to fully support the Jewish people when it’s hard,” said Zach Becker, the president of Columbia’s Jewish Law Students Association. Another student remarked that Lester’s Monday message ”suggests that she feels more upset by a swastika in the law school than the massacre of nearly 1,000 (or more) Jews.”
Lester did not respond to requests for comment regarding her statement.
This email was sent amidst student groups at Columbia University, including the Muslim Students Association and Columbia Law Students for Palestine, rallying in support of Hamas. Led by Columbia’s National Lawyers Guild, these groups released a statement blaming Israel for the weekend’s atrocities and condemning the Jewish state for defending itself.
“Israel does not have the right to defend its occupation, its apartheid state, or its siege of Gaza,” the statement read. ”The weight of responsibility for the war and casualties undeniably lies with the Israeli extremist government and other Western governments, including the U.S. government, which fund and staunchly support Israeli aggression, apartheid, and settler-colonization.”
The statement was endorsed by various groups, including the Conflict Resolution Collective, the Restorative Justice Collective, and the Columbia Law Students Human Rights Association.
Similar sentiments have been expressed at other Ivy League schools. At Harvard University, 33 student groups blamed Israel for the attacks on its own citizens, while the dean of Harvard’s Graduate School of Education, Bridget Terry Long, appeared to equate Hamas with the Jewish state.
“More than 1,100 people,” Long said Sunday, “have been killed and hundreds more wounded by the actions taken by Hamas and the Israeli government.”
Meanwhile, at Yale University, a group called “Yalies4Palestine” hosted an ”Indigenous Peoples’ Day” rally, blaming the “Zionist regime” for Hamas’s massacre. The group expressed unwavering support for the Palestinian people’s right to resist colonial oppression.
“Breaking out of a prison requires force, not desperate appeals to the colonizer,” the group stated, referring to the weekend attacks, which reportedly included acts of rape alongside the bodies of victims. “Yalies4Palestine stands in unwavering support of the Palestinian people’s right to resist colonial oppression.”
Yalies4Palestine did not respond to requests for comment.
How does the dean’s statement demonstrate a lack of support for the Jewish community at Columbia Law School?
Mning what they called “Israeli aggression.” The statement accused Israel of committing war crimes and called for solidarity with the Palestinian people.
It is deeply troubling that the dean of Columbia Law School would release a statement that not only whitewashes the worst terrorist attack in Israeli history but also fails to address the rise of anti-Semitism on campus. Lester’s omission of any mention of the Jewish people in her statement is a clear indication of a lack of support for the Jewish community.
At a time when Jewish students are feeling vulnerable and targeted, it is essential for the dean to stand up against acts of violence and discrimination. The massacre of over 900 Israelis, including innocent civilians, cannot simply be brushed aside or ignored. By neglecting to mention Hamas’s responsibility for the attack, Lester is perpetuating a dangerous narrative that demonizes Israel and undermines its right to self-defense.
Furthermore, the fact that Lester was quick to condemn a swastika found in the law school bathroom, but fails to condemn a horrific terrorist attack, raises questions about her priorities and values. The Jewish students at Columbia University are understandably concerned and feel neglected by their own dean. This disparity in responses suggests a lack of empathy and understanding for the pain and fear experienced by the Jewish community.
Lester’s silence and failure to respond to requests for comment regarding her statement is deeply disappointing. As the dean of Columbia Law School, she has the responsibility to address the concerns and voices of all students, regardless of their background or beliefs. Her silence only amplifies the feeling of marginalization and exclusion felt by Jewish students on campus.
It is also troubling to see student groups at Columbia University, including the Muslim Students Association and Columbia Law Students for Palestine, rallying in support of Hamas. It is important to distinguish between supporting the Palestinian cause and condoning acts of terrorism. By blaming Israel for the weekend’s atrocities without acknowledging the terrorist attack that initiated the violence, these groups are perpetuating a biased and distorted narrative.
The dean of Columbia Law School should serve as a symbol of inclusivity, fairness, and respect for all students. It is crucial for her to address the concerns raised by the Jewish community and to revise her statement to acknowledge the truth and condemn the terrorist attack. By doing so, she can rebuild trust and foster an environment in which all students feel valued and safe.
In conclusion, the dean of Columbia Law School’s statement regarding the recent violence in Israel and Gaza is deeply concerning. By failing to acknowledge the worst terrorist attack in Israeli history and neglecting to mention the Jewish people, she has demonstrated a lack of support for the Jewish community on campus. It is crucial for her to address these concerns and revise her statement to condemn the terrorist attack and stand against anti-Semitism. Only then can she begin to rebuild trust and create an inclusive and supportive environment for all students at Columbia Law School.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Now loading...