Pro-Israel groups slammed Columbia University for hosting an on-campus program called "Zionists are Racists," The Washington Free Beacon is reporting.
The program was organized by the "Apartheid Divest" group at the university, which includes anti-Israel organizations, according to the Free Beacon.
Over 100 people turned out for the event, which was interrupted at one point by a protester waving an Israeli flag, the Columbia Spectator student newspaper reported.
"At the moment, the Palestinian cause needs advocates," South African human rights lawyer Barney Pityana told the crowd via a Skype call. "It's never been weaker. The conscience of the world needs to be aroused…"
The Free Beacon, citing multiple pro-Israel and Jewish organizations reported similar events have been held at other universities and have been tied to an increase in anti-Semitism on college campuses.
Josh Block, president and CEO of the Israel Project, which works to combat anti-Semitism, criticized the program.
"This is a stance that has long been rejected by all people of good faith, including the overwhelming majority of Americans, because it's an obvious and anti-Semitic attempt to erase the history of Jews as an indigenous people in the land of their origin," Block told the Free Beacon.
"Anyone is entitled to think and say what they want, even when those things are hateful and outrageous," Block added. "But let's be clear that's what this is: Hate directed at Jews."
The Free Beacon quoted an unnamed "senior pro-Israel leader" saying: "Universities should be bastions of free speech and sustained debate, but you have to wonder what's going on at Columbia when their students are exploring ideas that have been rejected as anti-Semitic even in the world's most hostile anti-Israel forums.
"It raises legitimate questions about whether Jewish students can feel safe on the Columbia campus."
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.