Trump turns on colleges, colleges on human rights

In March, Columbia’s President Lee Bollinger made headlines, particularly in the right-wing media, for his statement tying the planned referendum to anti-Semitism.

Bollinger’s argument was convoluted.

Although it did not directly accuse those supporting the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement of anti-Semitism, it strongly suggested that very connection. Bollinger claimed that “when there is rising anti-Semitism in this country and around the world, even a single instance of it in any context is more alarming than it might otherwise be.”

In doing so, he not only voiced his own disapproval of the referendum but effectively sided with one group of students – those who support Israel on campus – at the expense of another – Palestinians, Arabs and those in solidarity – presumably out of a fear of upsetting donors, graduates and, worse yet, the US government.