On Friday afternoon, Columbia University Apartheid Divest held a press conference in front of Butler Library to address the status of negotiations with the University.

At 2:30 pm on Friday, April 26, Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD) held a press conference in front of Butler Library. CUAD members Jonathan Ben-Menachem, Sueda Polat, Maryam Alwan, Mohammad Hemeida, Mahmoud Khalil, and Sharif Ibrahim spoke to and answered questions from the media.

Polat, one of two negotiators present on behalf of CUAD, provided an update on negotiations with the University, and stated they have been in discussions since Friday but are “increasingly… met with an unwillingness to understand what are the core demands of the student movement.” The group stated that the “heart of [the] encampment is the wish for a complete divestment and boycott of institutions that are complicit in Israel’s genocide.”

Polat continued that despite the protesters’ demands, the Columbia administration has “proposed only further engagement with the apartheid state,” referring to Israel. Polat claimed that the University has asked them to “operate within the confines of bureaucratic red tape with no assurances of binding divestment decisions.” Polat stated that “[the University] believe[s] they can outstand us. We tell them that they cannot.”

Continuing on, Polat stated that it is “inconceivable” that “while journalists in Gaza are sending us their greetings, while children of Gaza are commending the power of students on this Encampment despite the demolition of their schools and their universities, while mass graves are still being unearthed in Gaza today, it is inconceivable that we would agree to the University’s propositions.” 

Polat addressed recent rumors that the University will move students out of Columbia dorms before the end of the semester and stated that “it is in [CUAD’s best interest to reach an agreement before Commencement because we want students and families to be able to celebrate this milestone together on this campus.” Polat concluded that “successful negotiations are the only viable option to end this Encampment.”

Ben-Menachem opened by stating, “Today is day 203 of genocide for Palestinians in Gaza and nearly 75 years of colonial violence from the apartheid state of Israel.” He continued, “If you are not focusing on the brutal genocide currently happening in Gaza and the apartheid system… we implore you to do so. It is important to remember why we are here.” 

Ben-Menachem spoke about the federal civil rights complaint filed against Columbia by Palestinians and allied students with Palestine Legal, mentioning various reported instances of harassment, doxxing, and chemical attacks against Palestinian students, Arabs, Muslims, students perceived to be Palestinian, and other pro-Palestine protesters. He reports that the full complaint can be found on the Palestine Legal website. 

He then stated that negotiators “can verify that the University stated in talks that there was the possibility of bringing in the National Guard to sweep the camp.” He said that Shafik’s Thursday night email to members of the Columbia community refuting rumors of possible NYPD presence on campus shows that “Columbia’s deadlines are always movable.” 

Ben-Menachem also discussed the pro-Israel rally outside of Columbia’s gates last night, as well as the sighting of Gavin McInnes on Wednesday, stating, “White supremacists and Christian nationalists have been invigorated by our Encampment because they see that we are a multiracial coalition composed of primarily Black, Brown, and Jewish students. Everything they hate.” He repeated that the movement “stand[s] against all forms of hate and bigotry.”

Ben-Menachem also addressed the encampments that have appeared around the country, asserting that CUAD “stand[s] in unwavering solidarity with students facing police and fascist violence across the nation.” 

He also quoted the Amnesty International Executive Director Paul O’Brien, who wrote, “Any steps taken to silence, harass, threaten, or otherwise intimidate those who gather peacefully to protest and speak out is a violation of their rights.” 

Before taking questions from media outlets, Ben-Menachem spoke to “the conduct [they] expect from press allowed on campus,” stating that their students “have been harassed and smeared by the media and outside groups.” He concluded by stating that the protesters are “fighting for Palestinian liberation and an end to our University’s complicity in an ongoing genocide.”

The spokespeople then opened up to questions. One reporter asked what made Ben-Menachem, a Jewish student, become involved in the pro-Palestine protests,  to which he responded that the suspension of Jewish Voice for Peace and Students for Justice in Palestine did. In regards to the questions surrounding the “deadline” for clearing the Encampment, the group stated that the deadline is “now off the table,” but there are “no assurances” that the University won’t bring the National Guard. 

One spokesman continued by stating that the “University is not acknowledging the movement,” and noting that the movement “prevailed” after the first Encampment’s removal.  Hehe movement “is not only this Encampment” but is “very large and [pro-Palestine student demonstrators]] will have [their] own ways to have [their] voice heard.”

The spokespeople stated that the Encampment is “doing everything to make sure students are aware of the risks.” Regarding the negotiation, the University has offered a “committee to review their proposal for divestment with no assurance that the board of trustees will approve.” Currently, they are looking at a “full package” of demands, including divestment from “all companies” and transparency in finances which has “fall[en] very short.” While there has been progress regarding negotiations, in regards to divestment “there is an impasse. “ 

When one reporter asked about House Speaker Mike Johnson’s presence, the group stated that he “parachuted in here with no regard for the actual safety of Jewish students” and that “for all [they] know” he encouraged and invited the Proud Boys founder, Gavin McInnes, to come into campus. 

When asked how international students have been involved in the Encampment, the group stated that, while international students couldn’t participate” in planning the encampment. International students, they continued, are an “integral part of this movement.” Speaking to Johnson’s characterization of student protesters as “pro-Hamas,” a CUAD spokesperson said that they find this and the online accusations of the same sentiment to be  “deeply racist.” They also said that students are here not just for Palestine, but to make it known that Columbia is “displacing Black residents in Harlem.” The administration’s decision to bring NYPD to campus was claimed to be because of a “faction” in the administration “who have close ties with the Israeli occupation.” 

CUAD responded with no comment when asked about the senate process and directed reporters to the CUAD statement in regard to CUAD organizer Khymani James. It is unclear whether or not James is still a CUAD spokesperson; he was not present at today’s press briefing.

Image via Bwog Staff