Statement on Decision to Postpone BDS Referendum at Columbia

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 22, 2019

Contact: Avi D. Gordon, Executive Director Alums for Campus Fairness

917-512-4585, [email protected]

 

Alums for Campus Fairness at Columbia University (ACF-Columbia/Barnard) commends the decision to postpone the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) referendum until the fall semester due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Friday, April 17th, the Columbia Elections Commission and the Columbia College Student Council Executive Board released a statement announcing the decision. ACF-Columbia/Barnard contends that CCSC’s constitutional charge to foster “cohesiveness and community among the entire undergraduate population” extends beyond the current crisis. We must remember that BDS not only contributes to an environment of antisemitism, but actively promotes antisemitism through the demonization and delegitimization of Israel, the nation state of the Jewish people. Part of ensuring “cohesiveness and community among the entire undergraduate population” requires a commitment to protecting all campus communities from hate and isolation, including the Jewish community.

We thank Jewish student leaders and our campus partners for your strength in fighting this antisemitic BDS campaign and building a campus culture that benefits the Jewish community. We also thank President Bollinger for his statement on March 6 condemning the rise in antisemitism at Columbia. We will continue to stand by you and insist that our alma mater remain a marketplace of ideas where antisemitism shall never be accepted.

ACF-Columbia/Barnard is proud to support the campus Jewish community throughout the COVID-19 crisis and beyond. We look forward to continuing our work to counter antisemitism on campus.

About ACF: Alums for Campus Fairness (ACF) is America’s unified alumni voice on issues of antisemitism, demonization of Israel, and bigotry. With over thirty-five chapters, ACF positions thousands of alumni on the front lines of key issues at their alma maters and works to ensure that universities remain pillars of open dialogue and equal opportunity for all students. For more information, please visit www.campusfairness.org.