If Shai Can't Speak, How Can I?

We, the undersigned, are deeply troubled by the baseless investigation initiated by Columbia University against Assistant Professor Shai Davidai at Columbia’s Business School. He has courageously spoken out against the hostile environment that Jewish and Israeli individuals face on Columbia's campus. 

Since October 7th, Shai has been a vocal advocate for Jewish students' safety and rights. Yet, instead of supporting him and the students he represents, Columbia’s leadership has turned a blind eye to antisemitism and failed to provide a safe environment for Jews on campus. Now, in a blatant act of retaliation, Columbia has launched an internal investigation against Shai, aiming to silence him for speaking out against systemic antisemitism and the university’s failure to address it.

Over the past year months, Jewish students at Columbia have been locking themselves in their dorm rooms for fear of being assaulted. They have been spat on, attacked, bullied, and vilified. And they have been harassed by pro-terror student organizations that justify, excuse, and celebrate the massacre of Jews while chanting for their eradication "by any means necessary.” These organizations – which have been suspended due to their hate-filled rhetoric – continue to hold unauthorized pro-terror rallies on campus without any fear of disciplinary action. Columbia refuses to enforce the terms of their suspension but instead pursues this baseless investigation into Shai.

Shai’s commitment to holding Columbia to account for their actions has resulted in death threats. He is relentlessly targeted on social media (including by Columbia students and faculty). He – out of fear of being assaulted – avoids spending time on campus. And now, in the ultimate act of betrayal, he is being persecuted by Columbia’s leadership, which is retaliating against him with a sham investigation based on meritless “complaints.”

Shai should be applauded for his actions – not punished.  His refusal to remain silent has empowered students to speak out against antisemitism on campuses everywhere.

By silencing Shai, Columbia is effectively silencing Jewish students everywhere. After all, if a respected professor cannot speak out against antisemitism without facing retribution, how can a student be expected to do so?

OUR DEMANDS:

Allow Shai Davidai Back on Campus

Create a Safe Environment: Columbia's leadership must take proactive steps to create a safer and more inclusive environment for Jewish students and faculty. This includes: 

• Punishing and enforcing sanctions against organizations that harass and bully Jewish students.
• Working with law enforcement and aiding in the prosecution of individuals who commit hate crimes against Jewish individuals.
• Encouraging Jewish students to report harassment without fear of reprisal.
• Implementing increased safety and security measures for Jewish students and organizations. 

JOIN US:

We urge fellow college students, faculty, parents, alumni, and concerned community members everywhere to join us in signing this petition in support of Professor Davidai and the broader Jewish community at Columbia University. Together, we can send a powerful message that antisemitism will not be tolerated on our campuses and that the voices of Jewish students and faculty must be heard and respected – and never silenced.

Professor Davidai has issued a statement, you can read it here.

This petition is created by @WeAreTov and @Abbasez