Academics across the country are sounding the alarm over efforts to define antisemitism influenced by the Trump administration.
In New York, Marianne Hirsch, a genocide scholar at Columbia University, has long used Hannah Arendt’s book “Eichmann in Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil” to engage her students in discussions about the Holocaust and its enduring impacts.
However, Columbia’s recent adoption of a new antisemitism definition, labeling certain critiques of Israel as hate speech, has raised concerns for Hirsch. She worries that even referencing Arendt’s work, which includes criticism of Israel’s establishment, could lead to reprimand.
Amidst the wave of universities aligning with the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s antisemitism definition, Columbia’s move to integrate the IHRA guidelines following a substantial settlement with the Trump administration has sparked controversy.
While proponents argue that these changes are essential to combat contemporary manifestations of Jewish discrimination, opponents, including civil liberties advocates, fear a further stifling of pro-Palestinian discourse under the influence of President Trump.
Hirsch decries the limitations imposed on discussions surrounding the Holocaust and Israel’s foundation, viewing it as blatant censorship that could deter meaningful conversations and expose faculty to unwarranted legal actions.
Despite the university’s justifications for adopting the IHRA definition and applying it to disciplinary measures, critics argue that it could pave the way for increased external scrutiny on academic content, potentially leading to dismissals due to pressures from interest groups.
Moreover, Columbia has announced additional measures, such as restructuring its Middle East studies department and implementing enhanced protocols for addressing antisemitism, alongside disciplinary actions targeting students engaged in pro-Palestinian advocacy.
Speech by Kenneth Marcus of the Louis D. Brandeis Center praised Columbia’s initiatives as necessary safeguards for Jewish students against harassment, while dismissing faculty concerns about the IHRA’s implications. Marcus believes the definition will provide clarity and uniformity in combating antisemitism.
Despite the escalating tensions, Hirsch remains resolute in her commitment to studying genocides, intending to continue dialogues with students regarding the crisis in Gaza and its devastating effects.