Wed May 07 02:53:32 UTC 2025: ## Jewish Students Denounce Weaponization of Anti-Semitism Amid Pro-Palestine Activism
**Washington, DC** – A group of Jewish students from Columbia University, active in pro-Palestinian protests, traveled to Washington D.C. this week to lobby members of Congress. They contend that accusations of anti-Semitism are being weaponized to silence their activism and that their pro-Palestinian stance stems from their deeply held Jewish values.
The students, who met with at least 17 Democratic legislators, were part of a delegation organized by Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) Action. Their activism began amidst widespread student protests last year against Israel’s war in Gaza, which saw the establishment of a student encampment at Columbia and subsequent arrests. This led to the university becoming a focal point for the Trump administration’s crackdown on what it termed “illegal protests” and campus anti-Semitism, culminating in the detention and deportation threat against student activist Mahmoud Khalil.
The students shared personal narratives challenging the narrative of anti-Semitism on campus. They described feeling discomfort and wrestling with their beliefs as they learned more about Palestinian history and witnessed the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. One student, Tali Beckwith-Cohen, stated that her activism was a direct response to the “bombing, the disregard for human life,” and a rejection of the “myths” she was raised with about Palestine.
Another student, Carly Shaffer, highlighted the hypocrisy of being accused of anti-Semitism while facing discrimination for her views. She cited the Trump administration’s use of the Jewish greeting “Shalom, Mahmoud” as a taunt following Khalil’s arrest as evidence of this weaponization. She emphasized that their pro-Palestinian activism is rooted in their Jewish faith and a commitment to social justice. The students also reported instances where fellow students questioned their Judaism for voicing concerns about the conflict.
Sarah Borus, a student arrested during the crackdown, underscored that the crackdown is not about protecting Jewish students but about using fears of anti-Semitism to suppress dissent and target student activists. Other students echoed these sentiments, describing a welcoming protest environment and highlighting the university’s refusal to grant Jewish Voice for Peace permission to hold religious events as discriminatory.
The students concluded that their activism is not anti-Semitic, but rather a demonstration of their commitment to human rights and justice for Palestinians. They urged Congress to address the weaponization of anti-Semitism and protect the rights of student activists. Columbia University did not respond to a request for comment.
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