Nearly six months after Columbia University suspended Khymani James, a pro-Palestinian student activist, who said “Zionists don’t deserve to live,” the coalition that had apologized on his behalf retracted its statement of regret — and advocated armed resistance against Israel. .
“Last spring, between camps, Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD) posted a statement written as an apology on behalf of Khymani James,” CUAD wrote Tuesday night on Instagram. “We deliberately misrepresented your experience and your words, and let you down.”
In a since-deleted post on X, James admitted in April that he had said a few months earlier in an Instagram Live video: “Zionists don’t deserve to live,” and “I’m thankful that I don’t just go out and kill. Zionists.” In the now-deleted April post, she said, “I didn’t speak well during the heat, for which I apologize.”
Columbia suspended James in April, and he has since sued the university to overturn his ban.
“I never wrote a neo-liberal apology posted in late April, and I’m glad we set the record straight for once,” James wrote on Tuesday in the X post. “I will not allow anyone to embarrass me about my politics. Whatever I said, I meant it.”
CUAD helped ignite protests at Columbia in April that sparked pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel movements on American campuses. In the months since the movement began, the group has taken a strong stance against Israel, encouraging violent insurrection in the country.
“We support freedom by any means necessary, including armed resistance,” the group said in a statement. “When you have used all peaceful means to solve problems, violence is the only way forward.”
Columbia, in a statement, said Wednesday it condemns any calls for violent actions.
“Statements that promote violence or harm are contrary to the fundamental principles on which this institution was founded,” said Interim University President Katrina Armstrong, the university’s antitrust and executive committee, in a statement. This seemed so basic that it hardly needed to be said; hearing such things in our society is disobedience, whether or not it is protected by the First Amendment. We must be clear: calls for violence have no place in this or any university.”
CUAD’s post was made on October 8 – just one day after the first anniversary of the attack on October 7, 2023. The attack left more than 1,200 Israelis dead, and Hamas continues to hold more than 100 people hostage. It was the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. Defending itself against bombings from Iran and Hezbollah, Israel has increased its military presence in the Middle East in recent months.
Meanwhile, Israel’s war with Hamas has left 40,000 dead in Gaza. The brutal war in Gaza and the high death toll have sparked widespread anger, even among Israel’s supporters. It calls for a ceasefire, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing government have stepped in to oppose the plans.
As the war grew more intense and unbearable, protest movements on campuses became more widespread. Colleges that have tried hard to combat racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia and other hate speech have faced the challenge of balancing free speech with safety.
Over the summer, many American universities adopted new sets of rules to support student safety while allowing less disruptive platforms for students to protest. But those new guidelines have been put to the test quickly this new school year.
“We want to be an open institution, but we will not be open until we are uncertain about safety,” Columbia’s statement said. “The trade-off, between the safety of our students, faculty and staff and the beautiful nature of the campus in the city, is real. This week, through social media calls for armed violence in the Middle East by defending local statements calling for violence, security advice. “
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