Columbia University’s campus was embroiled in controversy following acts of vandalism by anti-Israel protesters on January 30, 2025, resulting in significant damage to university property and heightened tensions within the student body. The incidents, carried out by the organization Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD) along with other activist groups, involved cement being flushed down toilets at the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) and the application of red spray paint on the Kravis Hall at the university's Business School.
The act of vandalism was reportedly intended to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the death of Hind Rajab, who was killed by Israeli forces during conflicts. Protesters broadcasted their actions on social media, defiantly stating, "One year ago, the world failed Hind. But today and every day we owe Hind, all our martyrs, and ourselves, action." This statement emphasizes the protesters' aim, framing their actions as not only symbolic but as active resistance against what they perceive as systemic oppression.
Dean of SIPA, Keren Yarhi-Milo, described the acts as "deplorable, disruptive and deeply unsettling". She reported to students via email about the vandalism, noting, "the women’s restrooms on four floors of the building were vandalized with a cement-like substance causing the toilets to clog." The spray-painted messages included personal attacks referencing university officials, adding to the tension over the already volatile situation.
According to reports, the graffiti contained phrases such as “Keren eat Weiner” and “Hind called, we must answer,” linking the attacks to both institutional figures and the memory of the Palestinian girl, thereby politicizing her tragic narrative. Such targeting of university officials has raised alarms among students about the potential escalation of protests and the climate surrounding discussions of Israel and Palestine on campus.
Columbia University swiftly announced it was investigating the acts of vandalism alongside law enforcement. A university spokesperson condemned the vandalism stating, "Acts of vandalism of University buildings and property and attempts to harass and intimidate members of our community are unacceptable and abhorrent and will not be tolerated at Columbia.” This firm statement reflects not only disapproval of the specific actions but also highlights the university’s broader commitment to maintaining campus safety and civility.
The university’s response marks a noticeable shift compared to past incidents, when critics claimed the administration was slow to act on antisemitism and anti-Israel rhetoric proliferated across campus. A second-year graduate student from SIPA conveyed to Jewish Insider, "The university has done a lot more compared to last year, but the actions of these perpetrators have also gotten worse," indicating the growing alarm among some students over the state of civil discourse on campus.
The anti-Israel groups, including New York City Resists with Gaza, claimed responsibility for the vandalism acts, stating they were made to protest “violent gentrification projects” and calling for action against what they referred to as Israeli genocide. Their manifesto stated, “We will not allow this land-grab to go unchallenged,” referring to the university's business endeavors and projects affecting local communities.
This latest series of events follows several months of heightened activism surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict. Tensions had risen significantly after the October 7 attacks on Israel, which have led to increased expressions of antisemitism on several campuses across the United States, including Columbia. The university's administration has faced scrutiny from both pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups on how best to navigate this charged environment.
Some students expressed concern about the normalizing of such extreme actions, saying they felt the environment had turned hostile. One SIPA student lamented, "People are saying if you're against this vandalism, you're supporting genocide," illustrating how dialogue around Israel and Palestine has polarized the campus community deeply.
Professor Esther Fuchs, who co-chairs the Columbia Antisemitism Task Force, condemned the vandalism, noting, "I have never seen such disregard for the community. This kind of vandalism and hate is alarming." Her remarks echo the sentiment among some faculty members who feel the academic environment is becoming increasingly hostile due to the actions driven by radical elements within the student body.
With Columbia University's administration facing mounting pressure to address these incidents and improve the response to claims of antisemitism, the fallout from this vandalism incident will likely shape conversations on campus for the foreseeable future. The continued investigation aims to identify individual perpetrators and hold them accountable, amid fears of potential escalations and retaliatory actions within the often contentious discussions surrounding Israel and its operations.
Going forward, the university must navigate these sensitive issues carefully to restore civility and protect all students’ rights to safely express their opinions without fear of intimidation or harassment.