Shafik and David M. Schizer, the former dean of the Columbia University Law School and co-chair of the university’s task force combatting antisemitism, have clarified the stance of the task force in response to a recent article by the New York Times. The article suggested that members of Columbia's task force were unable to agree on a definition of antisemitism, but Shafik and Schizer have refuted this claim.
Shafik expressed his personal view that any discrimination against individuals based on their Jewish faith constitutes antisemitism. He emphasized the importance of recognizing and combating such discrimination within the university community. Shafik also indicated that he believes the rest of the task force would concur with his definition.
Schizer provided a more detailed definition of antisemitism, describing it as bias against Jewish people. This bias can manifest in various forms, including ethnic slurs, stereotyping, Holocaust denial, double standards concerning Israel, and the propagation of antisemitic tropes. By outlining these manifestations of antisemitism, Schizer highlighted the complexity of addressing and combating this form of discrimination.
The statements made by Shafik and Schizer underscore the task force's commitment to combating antisemitism and promoting a safe and inclusive environment for all members of the Columbia University community. Their definitions provide clarity on what constitutes antisemitism and serve as a guide for identifying and addressing instances of discrimination based on Jewish identity.
