Columbia University

Takeaways from the NY primaries: Shifting Jewish power centers, Mamdani the Kingmaker and more

Mamdani, at his rally last week backing his preferred candidates, triggered backlash from Jewish corners for comparing pro-Israel lobbyists AIPAC to “monsters.”

Brad Lander, candidate for New York’s 10th Congressional District, speaks to the media while standing next to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani during a watch party after winning the primary elections in Brooklyn, New York, U.S., June 23, 2026.
Democratic candidate for New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks after winning the 2025 New York City Mayoral race, at an election night rally in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, New York, US, November 4, 2025.

The Mamdani effect: Democratic incumbents now have to worry about being too pro-Israel - opinion

Demonstrators hold placards that read "Free Mohsen" in reference to Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian student at Columbia University, who was detained, as they gather at Foley Square in Manhattan, New York City, US, April 15, 2025.

Anti-Israel Columbia protest leader Mohsen Mahdawi fights deportation to Jordan

Mayor Zohran Mamdani announces the appointment of Christine Clarke as chair and commissioner for the New York City Commission on Human Rights at Diversity Plaza in Jackson Heights, Queens in New York City, New York

Mamdani endorses former Columbia encampment organizer Darializa Avila Chevalier


Mahmoud Khalil says detainment ‘felt like kidnapping’ in first interview since release

Khalil, a 30-year-old Columbia University graduate and permanent US resident, was the first student pro-Palestinian protest leader to be detained by the Trump administration.

 Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil stands next to U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), a day after he was released from immigration custody, at Newark airport in Newark, New Jersey, U.S., June 21, 2025.

Mahmoud Khalil vows to resume pro-Palestinian activism after release from US jail

Khalil, who was greeted by American politician Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez upon his arrival in Newark, said that he would continue his activism even after his time in prison.

 Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil gestures next to his wife Dr. Noor Abdalla and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) at Newark airport, a day after he was released from immigration custody, in Newark, New Jersey, U.S., June 21, 2025.

Over half of Jewish students at Columbia experienced discrimination, exclusion after Oct. 7

Just over half of Muslim students reported frequently feeling not accepted over their identity — fewer than Jewish students, but far more than in the overall student population.

 Columbia student demonstrators show support as others chain themselves to the gates of St. Paul’s Chapel at Columbia University to denounce the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil in New York City, US, April 2, 2025.

Pro-Palestinian activist Khalil walks free after US judge orders release

Mahmoud Khalil says he is being punished for his political speech in violation of the US Constitution's First Amendment.

Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil gestures as he is released from immigration custody in Jena, Louisiana, U.S. June 20, 2025.

Federal judge orders Mahmoud Khalil to be released by Friday on $1 bond

Khalil was the first leader of last year’s pro-Palestinian student protests to be arrested under the Trump administration’s push to deport non-citizens who they said fueled antisemitism on campuses.

 Demonstrators gather outside the Federal Courthouse in New York City to show support for Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil and to demand his release from ICE detention on March 12, 2025.

Alan Garber’s stand against Washington: A Jewish hero at Harvard - opinion

Garber spoke truth to power in standing strong against the efforts of the current US administration to take control of all facets of academia under the false narrative of combating antisemitism.

 HARVARD UNIVERSITY President Alan Garber acknowledges sustained applause from students, during commencement exercises, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, last month. All of those assembled understood that they were in the presence of greatness, states the writer.

US Education Department says Columbia University violated federal anti-discrimination law

“After October 7, 2023, Columbia University’s leadership acted with deliberate indifference towards the harassment of Jewish students on its campus," said the US Education Secretary.

 Protesters gather at a main entrance in front of Columbia University during convocation, in New York City, US, August 25, 2024

My third front: A Jewish student's perspective on pro-Palestine campus encampments - opinion

Now, more than ever, we need to stand with our fellow Jewish students and show that we won’t cower in the face of hate.

 AN ISRAELI FLAG is hung high on the Columbia University campus on the first anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel, in New York City. Attending a US university won’t be about agreeing with everyone but about insisting that we have a place at the table, says the writer

Trump admin. argues Columbia University violated Jewish students' civil rights

Columbia violated Title VI by "acting with deliberate indifference towards student-on-student harassment of Jewish students from October 7, 2023, through the present," the White House argued.

 Protesters gather at a main entrance in front of Columbia University during convocation, in New York City, US, August 25, 2024

Trump official: US to crackdown on university antisemitism after Washington attack

Leo Terrell confirmed the Trump administration would launch lawsuits against universities failing to tackle campus antisemitism.

Leo James Terrell speaks during a reception honouring Black History Month, hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 20, 2025.