Staff Reports
Barnard College has found itself at the center of a heated controversy after a group of anti-Israel protesters stormed Milbank Hall, assaulting a staff member and disrupting campus life. The protest, which lasted nearly seven hours, was in response to the expulsion of two students who had previously disrupted a class on Israeli history and distributed flyers containing violent imagery. While the protesters demanded amnesty for the expelled students, their actions crossed a line, leaving Jewish students feeling unsafe and raising serious concerns about campus security.
The protest escalated into chaos as masked demonstrators pushed past security guards, injuring one employee who required hospitalization. Chants of “intifada revolution” echoed through the halls, and students were prevented from attending classes. Jewish students, already grappling with rising antisemitism on campuses nationwide, described the atmosphere as deeply unsettling. Rachel Kaufman, a sophomore at Barnard, voiced her frustration with the administration’s inability to maintain a safe learning environment, calling the situation “distressing” and emblematic of broader failures to protect Jewish students.
From a conservative perspective, this incident underscores the urgent need for stronger measures to combat antisemitism on college campuses. While free speech is a cornerstone of American democracy, it does not extend to violent disruptions or intimidation tactics that infringe on others’ rights. The Trump administration’s executive order on combating antisemitism provides a framework for holding institutions accountable when they fail to protect Jewish students. However, Barnard’s response—characterized by prolonged negotiations with protesters and an apparent reluctance to involve law enforcement—has been widely criticized as weak and ineffective.
The broader implications of this protest cannot be ignored. It reflects a disturbing trend in academia where radical activism often devolves into hostility against Jewish students under the guise of anti-Zionism. This hostility not only threatens individual safety but also undermines academic freedom and intellectual diversity. Conservative lawmakers have rightly called for decisive action, including expulsions and legal consequences for those who engage in violence or harassment. Anything less sends a dangerous message that such behavior is tolerated.
As Barnard grapples with this crisis, it must prioritize the safety and well-being of all its students while reaffirming its commitment to free expression within lawful boundaries. Jewish students like Rachel Kaufman deserve an environment where they can pursue their education without fear or intimidation. The time has come for universities to stop placating disruptive activists and start enforcing policies that uphold order, respect, and accountability on campus.
