Associate Professor of Sociology at Barnard College Debbie Becher stated on Tuesday’s NPR” Morning Edition” that it’s unfortunate that officials are telling Israeli learners who support Israel’s war against Gaza that they are illegal and that, in addition to being “unfortunate,” the school is” joining the Republicans and Democrats and getting fast results in the form of firings, suspensions, and expulsions. That’s social point- scoring, never student nicely- being. And it’s making it worse, no better. When the school uses this kind of significant energy in the interest of one group, presumably, this is just going to promote, for them and their peers, the idea that Jews have significant power, a core racist belief”.
Becher remarked,” It’s unfortunate that officials are telling Jewish individuals who support Israel’s battle on Gaza that they are uncomfortable and that the national media and some social media have been portraying our campuses as replete with murder and protests. In fact, the center of attention, there’s an encampment, a pro- Palestinian encampment at Columbia right now, has been a place of sharing and community building. There have been movies seen there by students. They hold teach- ins. They study. They eat together. Last night, I attended a Passover Seder in the middle of it with about 75 Jewish students, a dozen Jewish faculty, and many non- Jewish students and faculty. … So, what’s happening is that, in the name of preventing antisemitism, the university has suspended a dozen or more Jewish students for taking part in non- disruptive, peaceful action. Does their safety matter? What about the safety of Palestinian, Arab, Muslim, black, and brown students arrested by the NYPD at Columbia’s request and those kicked out of their dorms by Barnard College”?
Later, co- host , A Martinez asked,” What would you say, though, Professor, to a student, a Jewish student, who feels that maybe that what’s going on now has gone to antisemitic language”?
Becher answered,” I would say that antisemitism is something that needs to be approached seriously. It’s everywhere. It is not used as a political tool. Additionally, it has been used as a political tool by Congress and universities over the past six months. Antisemitism deserves rigor. That means we need procedures in place for investigations. We do n’t need to panic or cave in response to external pressure. What we’ve seen is that the university is supporting the Republicans and Democrats and achieving immediate results in the form of firings, suspensions, and expulsions, while the congressional Republicans and Democrats are supporting those who are panicking. That’s political point- scoring, not student well- being. And it’s making it worse, not better. When the university uses this kind of disproportionate power in the interest of one group, supposedly, this is just going to reinforce, for them and their peers, the idea that Jews have disproportionate power, a core antisemitic belief”.
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