Columbia University recently found itself at the center of controversy when a student-led event, meant to justify the Hamas attack on October 7 as a “Palestinian counteroffensive,” went ahead despite the university’s attempts to stop it.

This incident has sparked significant worry among Jewish students on campus.

Inside the School of Social Work, pro-Palestinian students gathered, with one speaker openly praising the events of October 7 and the Taliban’s resurgence in Afghanistan.

The students, some masking their identities and using umbrellas to block filming, created a tense atmosphere.

An Israeli student courageously stepped up to challenge the group, expressing her willingness to discuss the Gaza situation but stressing her inability to engage in meaningful dialogue amid threats of violence against her and her family.

This Israeli student’s confrontation was a powerful moment.

She called out the protesters for using dehumanizing language similar to what they accuse Israeli leaders of, referring to her people as “Zionist dogs.”

She firmly stated that portraying the October 7 massacre as anything but terrorism is unacceptable, especially for those training to be social workers.

Despite Columbia University’s stance against the event, as voiced by Dean Melissa Begg, the event occurred.

The university had previously stated that the gathering, advertised as a discussion on the “Significance of the October 7th Palestinian Counteroffensive,” did not adhere to the necessary protocols.

Columbia University confirmed that the event proceeded without approval and that potential disciplinary action is being considered.

This violation of university policy is part of a worrying trend of radical ideologies gaining a foothold in educational spaces.

The aftermath of the event left Jewish students feeling unsafe, prompting the university to offer remote classes as an alternative.

This incident, occurring just a day after a congressional hearing on rising antisemitism on college campuses, highlights a growing concern about the safety and well-being of Jewish students in academic environments.

This event at Columbia University is a glaring example of a larger issue in academic circles, where extreme viewpoints are increasingly prevalent and even celebrated.

It serves as a reminder of the need to remain vigilant against the spread of extremist ideologies in educational settings.