A Jewish professor from Colombia was blocked from entering campus after organizing a pro-Israel demonstration to counter the Gaza student encampment.
Shai Davidai, an assistant professor at the business school, was filmed Monday morning in a heated confrontation with pro-Palestinian students.
A source told DailyMail.com that Davidai’s employee card was deactivated after he refused to hold his counter-protest in the designated area and held it next to the pro-protest. Gaza.
Footage shows him protesting against security guards at the campus gates before climbing a small wall and addressing protesters.
“They deactivated my card, they won’t let me on campus,” Davidai said. “As a Jew, I not only have a civil right to be on campus, I have a right, as a professor employed by the university, to be on campus.
Shai Davidai, a Jewish professor from Colombia (photo), was blocked from entering campus after organizing a pro-Israel demonstration to counter the Gaza student encampment
Columbia University canceled all in-person classes Monday amid escalating anti-Israel protests that have sparked fear among Jewish students
A video from last week shows pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protesters clashing outside the school as a woman shouts, “We are Hamas!”
His protest was met with cries of “Let Shai in” from his supporters and “shame on you” from pro-Palestinian demonstrators who initially tried to drown him out.
At another protest in a green space on Sunday, Davidai called the Gaza encampment “open support for Hamas.”
This comes after Columbia University canceled all in-person classes amid escalating anti-Israel protests that have sparked fear among Jewish students — and a warning from a rabbi.
President Minouche Shafik said Monday she was “saddened” by the situation and that the school “needs a reset.”
“I understand that many are experiencing deep moral distress and want Colombia to help alleviate this problem by taking action,” she said.
“We should have serious conversations about how Colombia can contribute.”
The Egyptian-born academic added that tensions have been “exploited and amplified by individuals who are not affiliated with Colombia,” warning that they are pursuing their own agenda.
Last week, the school’s rabbi warned Jewish students not to return to campus amid a horrific rise in “extreme anti-Semitism.”
Shai Davidai, an assistant professor at the business school, was filmed Monday morning in a heated confrontation with pro-Palestinian students.
In an email to students announcing virtual learning for Monday, Columbia President Minouche Shafik said the school “needs a reset” following the chaos on campus.
Rabbi Elie Buechler of Columbia/Barnard Hillel issued a grim warning to students Sunday morning.
Buechler encouraged students to consider staying home, writing: “It is not our job as Jews to ensure our own safety on campus.”
New York police cleared an encampment at the college on Thursday and arrested more than 100 protesters, including Ilhan Omar’s daughter.
Democratic Mayor Eric Adams previously said university officials had asked the city in writing to remove the encampment.
“Students have the right to free speech, but do not have the right to violate university policies and disrupt learning on campus,” Adams said Sunday evening.
“I am horrified and disgusted by the widespread anti-Semitism on and around the Columbia University campus.
“Hate has no place in our city and I have asked the New York Police Department to investigate any violation of the law it receives a report of and arrest anyone who violates the law,” Adams said Sunday night.
“I want to be very clear, however: Columbia University is a private institution located on private property, which means that the NYPD cannot have a presence on campus unless senior officials from the university does not specifically ask for it.
Isra Hirsi, the daughter of left-wing Rep. Ilhan Omar, says she has nowhere to live or eat after being suspended for participating in anti-Israel protests at Columbia University
Hirsi (pictured right with her mother), 21, was part of a multi-day protest in support of Palestine that drew heavy condemnation from both sides of the political spectrum, including from the White House.
“For the safety of all New Yorkers, I urge senior Columbia administration officials to improve and maintain an open line of communication with the NYPD to ensure the safety of all students and staff on campus.
“The NYPD has an increased presence of officers located around campus to protect students and all New Yorkers on public streets, and they are ready to respond if a request is made by the university, as has was done last Thursday.”
Students have been protesting on campus since Wednesday morning, opposing Israeli military action in Gaza and demanding that the school divest from companies they claim “profit from Israeli apartheid.”
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