Barnard College Bans Masks and Cuts Ties with Anti-Israel Student Group After Antisemitism Settlement
Barnard College Settles Lawsuit Over Rising Antisemitism
Barnard College has reached a settlement in a lawsuit filed by Jewish students alleging that the institution failed to address increasing antisemitism amid the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Court documents reveal that the college will implement several new policies, including a ban on masks during protests, a refusal to engage with the pro-Palestinian Columbia University Apartheid Divest group, and the appointment of a dedicated Title VI coordinator to oversee compliance with anti-discrimination laws.
“Antisemitism and discrimination in any form contradict the core values we uphold,” stated Barnard President Laura Ann Rosenbury.
The agreement emphasizes Barnard’s commitment to creating a safe, inclusive campus environment. It drops the lawsuit filed by Jewish groups and students against Barnard, although the case against Columbia University remains active. The lawsuit was largely centered on anti-Jewish incidents on Columbia’s campus following protests over the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas.
The protests involved pro-Palestinian students condemning Israel’s military response, but some Jewish and Israeli students felt threatened by chants that accused Israel of genocide and used slogans like “from the river to the sea,” which they claimed fostered antisemitic sentiments.
Following similar incidents at Harvard and NYU, there were calls to ban masks at protests, citing concerns that protesters might commit hate crimes without accountability. Columbia University adopted a mask ban in March after the federal government withdrew funding over how it handled antisemitism.
The Barnard settlement extends beyond the mask ban, including the creation of a Title VI coordinator to address discrimination complaints based on race, color, or national origin, as outlined in the Civil Rights Act. It also formalizes that Barnard will not recognize or engage with the Columbia University Apartheid Divest group, which advocates for divestment from Israel over alleged occupation and genocide.
Legal representatives for the Jewish students welcomed the settlement, with one attorney stating, “Barnard’s actions demonstrate leadership in combating antisemitism and fostering an inclusive campus environment.”
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