An imam from upstate New York sparked controversy after calling on Columbia University students to target a pro-Israel professor during an August 20 webinar. The event, titled “Islamic Political Activism,” was hosted by Columbia's Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and featured Imam Tom Facchine, who urged participants to make an example of Shai Davidai, an assistant professor at the Columbia Business School.
During the webinar, Facchine addressed the group, saying, “How do we create a situation where [Davidai] is in jeopardy?” He continued, stating that taking out someone like Davidai would “silence a hundred more” and embolden other activists. Facchine's comments have drawn widespread criticism, as Davidai, who is Israeli and openly Zionist, has been a vocal advocate against antisemitism on campus.
Upstate NY imam encourages Columbia students to ‘take out’ pro-Israel professor https://t.co/XeOoSt6wiI pic.twitter.com/8rcQuUQCwT
— New York Post (@nypost) August 31, 2024
The event occurred amid increasing tensions at Columbia University, which has become a focal point for pro-Palestinian activism in recent years. Last spring, pro-Palestinian protesters occupied campus spaces, demanding that the university cut ties with companies that support Israel. These demonstrations, often led by SJP, have clashed with pro-Israel groups on campus, leading to a charged atmosphere.
Davidai, who has been outspoken against the rise of antisemitism at Columbia, previously criticized the university for failing to protect Jewish students and faculty. He gained attention last October after sharing a viral video in which he condemned the administration for allowing pro-Palestinian encampments that he said endangered Jewish members of the campus community. As a result, Davidai was barred from certain parts of the university for his own safety.
NY Imam Encourages Columbia Students to ‘Take Out’ Pro-Israel Professor
Because, ya know, Islam is peace.https://t.co/YPvojEFOVx
— 🇺🇸 Pamela Geller 🇺🇸 🇮🇱 (@PamelaGeller) September 4, 2024
The university administration has yet to take any substantial actions following the August 20 webinar, despite the inflammatory remarks. Facchine’s comments have fueled an already volatile situation on campus, where pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel groups frequently clash. Columbia has faced criticism from Jewish organizations, accusing the school of not doing enough to combat rising antisemitic sentiment on campus.
Davidai has since announced that he plans to take legal action, citing the university’s failure to provide a safe environment for Jewish students and faculty. He has filed a complaint under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in programs receiving federal assistance.
In response to Facchine's remarks, SJP's Instagram account was reportedly banned from the platform, though it remains unclear if this was directly related to the August 20 event. The group shared a statement on X (formerly Twitter), claiming the ban was without explanation.
The broader implications of this incident reflect the increasing polarization on American college campuses, where debates over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict often escalate into hostile environments. As Columbia University prepares for the new academic year, tensions are likely to remain high, with both pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel groups maintaining their positions.
