The Dispatch Podcast

Columbia Professor: Terrorism Is The Point | Interview: Shai Davidai

Apr 24, 2024

Israeli-born assistant professor at Columbia University, Shai Davidai, shares his experience of being denied entry to campus due to antisemitism. Discussions on Jewish student safety, administrative involvement in protests, and the challenges of navigating speech boundaries on college campuses.

01:36:50

Episode guests

Shai Davidai

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Quick takeaways

Antisemitism poses a threat to Jewish students on college campuses, requiring urgent action from universities to ensure safety and protection.

Open dialogue and academic freedom are crucial in addressing the rise of antisemitism and supporting diverse viewpoints on campus, promoting critical thinking and democratic values.

The complexities of safety perceptions, especially for marginalized groups, highlight the need for genuine assessment and consideration of safety concerns beyond just feeling secure in various environments.

Deep dives

Growing Antisemitism on College Campuses

The podcast discusses the rise of antisemitism on college campuses, focusing on the situation at Columbia University. It highlights the anti-Israel protests that have turned into illegal encampments and discusses the impact on Jewish and Israeli individuals. The podcast features an Israeli-born assistant professor at Columbia Business School, Shai Davidei, who shares his experiences and perspectives on the growing antisemitism and support for terrorism on campuses.

Learning from Historical Restrictions

01:06

Perception and Misconceptions

01:25

Insight into the Misrepresentation of Protests

01:20

Presumption of Innocence and Due Process

01:27

Introduction

4min

Navigating Political Values in Israeli Politics

17min

Personal Reflections on Social Media Sharing and Campus Experience

2min

Navigating Speech Boundaries on Campus

4min

Challenges with Administrators and Trustees

27min

Navigating Jewish Identity and Safety on Campus

21min

Navigating Media Narratives in Conflict Zones

9min

Navigating Media Attention and Campus Dynamics

5min

Adaam is joined by Shai Davidai, an Israeli-born assistant professor at Columbia University, to discuss a viral moment in which he was denied entry to Columbia’s campus and how the university’s administration is failing to protect Jewish students.

The Agenda:

—Shai Davidai’s background, from Israel to Columbia

—The antisemitism he was warned about

—Dialogue with protesters

—The administrative involvement in the protests

—Play-by-play of Davidai's experience on Columbia's campus

—Are Jewish students safe on college campuses?

Show Notes:

—Davidai's "Rape is never ok" tweet

—Petition calls for Davidai's termination

—Davidai's appearance on 60 Minutes

—Rep. Ilhan Omar questions Columbia University president