Columbia University has canceled its main commencement ceremony due to disruptions caused by anti-Israel protests, leading to backlash from some students and faculty. Two other universities have also withdrawn invitations to United Nations Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield as a commencement speaker due to similar concerns.
Columbia University has become the latest institution of higher education to be affected by the escalating tensions surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict, as the university has canceled its university-wide commencement ceremony due to disruptions caused by recent anti-Israel protests.
The decision to cancel the main commencement ceremony, which was scheduled to take place on May 16, was made after a series of protests and demonstrations on campus in recent weeks. These protests have been organized by students and faculty who oppose the Biden administration's support for Israel in the conflict.
"We deeply regret that we have had to make this decision, but the safety of our students, faculty, staff, and guests is our paramount concern," said Columbia University President Lee C. Bollinger in a statement. "We understand that this decision may disappoint some members of our community, but we believe it is the right one under the circumstances."
Students and faculty who support the protests have expressed disappointment with the university's decision, arguing that it is a violation of their free speech rights. They have also accused the university of caving in to pressure from pro-Israel groups.
"This is a very sad day for Columbia University," said Elisha Baker, a Columbia student who has been involved in the protests. "The university is sending a message that it does not support freedom of speech or dissent."
However, the university has defended its decision, saying that it is committed to providing a safe and respectful environment for all members of its community.
"We respect the right of our students and faculty to express their views, but we cannot tolerate disruptions that would prevent us from holding a safe and orderly commencement ceremony," said Bollinger.
The cancellation of Columbia's commencement ceremony is just the latest in a series of disruptions caused by the Israel-Hamas conflict on college campuses across the United States. In recent weeks, there have been protests at numerous universities, including the University of California, Berkeley, the University of Michigan, and the University of Pennsylvania.
These protests have raised concerns about the growing polarization on college campuses and the potential for further disruptions in the future.
In addition to Columbia University, two other universities have also canceled commencement speeches by Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Xavier University of Louisiana and the University of Vermont have both withdrawn their invitations to Thomas-Greenfield due to concerns about her support for Israel.
Thomas-Greenfield has said that she is disappointed by the cancellations, but she understands the concerns of the students and faculty. She has also said that she remains committed to speaking out about the importance of peace and understanding in the Middle East.
The cancellation of commencement ceremonies and the withdrawal of commencement invitations are just two examples of the ways in which the Israel-Hamas conflict is having an impact on college campuses across the United States. It remains to be seen how the conflict will continue to affect higher education in the coming months and years.
