Columbia Clamps Down On ‘Hateful Language’ Against Jews As Trump Admin Deal Reportedly Closes In

Columbia University on Tuesday announced it will redefine antisemitism and implement several other policy changes in response to the Trump administration’s crackdown on college campuses.

The Ivy League university said it will adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, which effectively classifies criticisms of the State of Israel as antisemitic speech. Severalsources reported that Columbia is nearing a deal with the Trump administration after months of negotiations following the school’s violent pro-Palestine protests in 2023.

The new guidelines for classifying acts as antisemitism include “Making mendacious, dehumanizing, demonizing, or stereotypical allegations about Jews” such as suggesting “Jews controlling the media, economy, government or other societal institutions” and “Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination,” which also includes linking Israel to a “racist endeavor,” according to the IHRA. Denying the Holocaust or any aspects of the event, including accusing Jews or Israel of exaggerating any part of it, is also classified as antisemitic.

“Accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel,” “Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis” and “Holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel,” are all also off limits under the new guidelines.