Backpedaling comes as student groups around the country declare support for Hamas
(Reuters/Amir Cohen and law.columbia.edu)
The dean of Columbia Law School, Gillian Lester, is doing damage control in the wake of a muted statement about the “violence that erupted in Israel” over the weekend, issuing a new statement on Tuesday that blamed Hamas for the attacks and described them as an act of terrorism.
“I want to acknowledge the trauma, fear, and despair that you are feeling in the aftermath of the atrocious terrorist attacks on Israel and innocent civilians by Hamas, and Israel’s subsequent declaration of war,” Lester emailed the school. Her initial statement, released on Monday, did not acknowledge Hamas’s role in a massacre that killed over 900 Israelis, most of them civilians.
The Tuesday message also called on students to “treat each other with respect, civility, and generosity, even when we disagree.” That plea came after 15 student groups, led by Columbia’s chapter of the National Lawyers Guild, issued a statement blaming Israel for the weekend’s atrocities and asserting that the Jewish state had no right to defend itself.
Lester did not respond to a request for comment.
Other universities are facing backlash over their milquetoast responses to the violence, which is being described as the single deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust. After 34 Harvard student groups blamed Israel for the massacre, former Harvard president Larry Summers on Monday blasted the university for its “neutral” stance, saying he had “never been as disillusioned and alienated as I am today.”
The school released a mealy-mouthed statement that night lamenting the violence. On Tuesday the president of the university, Claudine Gay, released a stronger statement, condemning Hamas’s “terrorist atrocities” and making it clear that the 34 student groups did not speak for Harvard.
Numerous student organizations across the country have sided with Hamas. Swarthmore’s chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine praised the “martyrs” resisting the “Zionist regime by any means necessary.” George Washington University’s chapter declared its “full support” for the attacks, adding that “we reject the distinction between ‘civilian’ and ‘militant.’”
At New York University Law School, the president of the student bar association, Ryna Workman, released a statement on Monday affirming her solidarity with Hamas.
“I will not condemn Palestinian resistance,” she said, adding that the terrorist attacks were “necessary.” Instead, “I condemn the violence of obfuscating genocide as a ‘complex issue.’”
Workman was a summer associate at Winston & Strawn this year, meaning she will likely be invited back to the white-shoe firm after graduation. Workman and Winston Strawn did not respond to requests for comment.
What responsibility do universities have in addressing and combating anti-Semitic sentiments on campuses
And current US Treasury Secretary Larry Summers called on the university to take stronger action. In a statement, Summers said, “Blaming Israel for defending itself against terrorist attacks is not only morally wrong but also dangerous. Universities have a responsibility to foster an environment of open debate and intellectual rigor, but that does not extend to providing a platform for hate speech and anti-Semitic views.”
The situation at universities around the country is concerning, as student groups declare support for Hamas without fully understanding the implications of their statements. Hamas is recognized as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, and several other countries. It is responsible for numerous attacks on innocent civilians, including suicide bombings and rocket attacks targeting Israeli cities.
To blame Israel for the recent violence is not only misguided but also ignores the context in which these events are taking place. The current escalation of violence began with Hamas launching rocket attacks against Israeli civilians, prompting a military response from Israel. The Israeli government has a responsibility to protect its citizens and ensure their safety. It is important to recognize the difference between self-defense and acts of terrorism.
Universities play a crucial role in shaping the minds of future leaders and intellectuals. It is essential that they uphold principles of fairness, objectivity, and factual accuracy in their teachings and public statements. Supporting terrorist groups like Hamas undermines these principles and perpetuates a climate of hate and violence.
The fact that student groups are aligning themselves with Hamas raises concerns about the prevalence of anti-Semitic sentiments on campuses. Anti-Semitism has long been a problem in society, and universities should take a strong stand against any form of discrimination or hate speech. It is important for university administrators to address these issues promptly and ensure that all students feel safe and included on campus.
In conclusion, it is encouraging to see the dean of Columbia Law School, Gillian Lester, backpedaling on her initial statement and acknowledging the role of Hamas in the recent violence. It is crucial for universities and student groups to educate themselves about the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and avoid taking one-sided positions that perpetuate hate and division. Only through open dialogue, mutual understanding, and an objective evaluation of the facts can progress be made towards a peaceful resolution.
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