JNS
A meeting in New York City focused on “combating antisemitism on campus and promoting academic collaborations” between Israel and America.
During a trip to the United States, Israeli Minister of Education Yoav Kisch had what he called a “positive” meeting with Katrina Armstrong, the interim president of Columbia University, on Tuesday, according to an official readout from the Consulate General of Israel in New York.
The meeting focused on “combating antisemitism on campus and promoting academic collaborations” between Israel and the United States, according to the readout.
The two agreed “on the importance of taking firm action against antisemitism on campus,” in addition to “ensuring that academic institutions do not allow a hostile environment against Jews,” according to the readout. They also discussed the “expansion of academic and research collaborations” between the two countries.
“This is an important step, and I hope other universities will follow her and take responsibility for ensuring a safe environment for Jewish and Israeli students and faculty,” said Kirsch.
Armstrong also emphasized her commitment to fighting Jew-hatred on campus and noted that the university is already taking steps to address it. Since the Hamas-led terrorist attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, Columbia has been a hotbed of campus antisemitism and has been subject to congressional hearings, Title VI investigations and lawsuits.
Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.), chairman of the House Education and Workforce Committee, recently wrote a letter to Armstrong outlining “numerous antisemitic incidents” since the start of the 2024 school year, demanding requests for records of these incidents.
Kisch’s visit to the United States will also include meetings with senior government officials, academics and industry leaders to strengthen strategic ties in educational innovation, confront antisemitism and expand academic collaboration, according to the consulate.
