Columbia University term begins with protests and more security

Columbia University spokesperson Samantha Slater did not acknowledge the protests in a statement provided to BBC News.

“As we begin the new semester, we are focused on our mission of teaching, creating, and advancing knowledge and ensuring a safe, respectful campus environment for our community.”

Columbia University has experienced protests, and counterprotests, since Hamas’ attack in Israel on 7 October 2023. The attack left about 1,200 people dead and 251 people were taken hostage.

About 40,000 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel began a retaliatory campaign that has draw international criticism for its high death toll.

On Sunday, Israel announced it had recovered the bodies of six of the hostages who were taken to Gaza. Among them was 23-year-old Hersh Goldberg-Polin, whose parents waged a public campaign calling for his release.

David Lederer, a 22-year-old junior at Columbia University, held a small-counter protest along with a fellow Jewish student outside the university gates on Tuesday.

His friend held a photo of Mr Goldberg-Polin, and the two unfurled a large banner that read “Get Support for Terrorism Off Our Campus”.

Mr Lederer – who was sworn at by one passerby – is one of several pro-Israel Jewish students who have expressed concern about anti-Semitism on campus. They said the pro-Palestinian groups had not sufficiently condemned the 7 October attack or its perpetrators.

“To be anti-war is one thing, but to be pro a terrorist organization is another, and that has no place at Columbia,” Mr Lederer said.