{"id":14493,"date":"2025-03-20T13:40:57","date_gmt":"2025-03-20T13:40:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.watanserb.com\/en\/?p=14493"},"modified":"2025-03-20T13:40:57","modified_gmt":"2025-03-20T13:40:57","slug":"hundreds-of-jewish-academics-condemn-trumps-funding-cuts-to-columbia-university","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.watanserb.com\/en\/2025\/03\/20\/hundreds-of-jewish-academics-condemn-trumps-funding-cuts-to-columbia-university\/","title":{"rendered":"Hundreds of Jewish Academics Condemn Trump\u2019s Funding Cuts to Columbia University"},"content":{"rendered":"

Watan<\/strong>-Hundreds of Jewish academics, including professors, researchers, and students, have condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to cut $400 million in federal funding to Columbia University and threaten other universities with similar measures.<\/p>\n

This action comes amid allegations from the administration that the university has \u201cfailed to protect American students and faculty\u201d from antisemitic harassment, along with other unspecified legal violations. However, the signatories of an open letter, titled \u201cAn Open Letter in Response to Federal Funding Cuts to Columbia University,\u201d argue that these decisions will not protect Jews but could instead make them more vulnerable.<\/p>\n

Outrage: “Do Not Use Our Identity to Destroy Academic Institutions”<\/h3>\n

In their letter, the academics emphasized that history shows that attacks on individual freedoms often begin with silencing scholars and intellectuals\u2014something they argue is contrary to fundamental Jewish cultural values. The letter states:<\/p>\n

\u201cHistorically, the loss of individual rights for any group begins with silencing scholars and academics\u2014people who dedicate their lives to knowledge, which is at the core of Jewish culture. Furthermore, destroying universities in the name of protecting Jews may actually make them less safe by turning them into scapegoats.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Resignation
Neamat Shafik<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Resignation of Minouche Shafik<\/h3>\n

Minouche Shafik announced her resignation as President of Columbia<\/a> University after months of protests.<\/p>\n

Strict Restrictions Imposed on Columbia University<\/h3>\n

In addition to the funding cuts, the Trump administration has imposed a series of demands on the university, including:<\/p>\n