Columbia President resigns after Gaza protests

Columbia University President Minouche Shafik announced her resignation effective August 14, 2024, following intense criticism regarding her management of pro-Palestinian protests on campus. Shafik, the first woman to lead the university, faced backlash from various factions, including accusations of being an ally to antisemites and failing to protect Jewish students during a surge of antisemitism linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Her leadership was characterized by a perceived lack of decisiveness, leading to a campus environment described as chaotic and insular. The protests, which escalated after Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, resulted in significant unrest, including illegal encampments and confrontations with law enforcement. Critics, including Republican lawmakers, condemned Shafik for her handling of the situation, claiming she allowed antisemitism to flourish while simultaneously calling in police to manage protests. Shafik's resignation was met with mixed reactions; while some students expressed relief, others lamented the toxic atmosphere that led to her departure. In her resignation letter, Shafik acknowledged the turmoil within the university community and the toll it had taken on her family. She plans to take on a new role with the British Foreign Office, leading a review on development policy. As Columbia prepares for the upcoming semester, the interim president, Katrina Armstrong, faces the challenge of addressing ongoing tensions and demands for institutional change, particularly regarding the university's stance on Israel.