Israeli Professor Quits Columbia Over Unchecked Anti-Israel Protests

Shai Davidai, an Israeli professor at Columbia University, has walked away from his post, citing the institution’s failure to tackle anti-Israel protests that have roiled the campus. In a bold move, Davidai announced his departure on July 8, 2025, slamming the university’s leadership for their inaction. "Columbia’s leadership has failed, and the faculty has lost its moral compass," he told WTFNewsRoom. "I don’t trust the acting president or the board to do what’s right."

Davidai, a vocal advocate for Israel and Jewish students since the October 7 terror attacks, has been a lightning rod for controversy. His fiery speeches, including one branding then-president Minouche Shafik a coward, went viral, amplifying his call to curb what he sees as unchecked anti-Israel sentiment. The university’s response? A now-dropped investigation into Davidai’s conduct, which he celebrated on X as a victory: "They tried to smear my name, but I wouldn’t let them." The probe, closed without findings of wrongdoing, stemmed from allegations of harassment during a 2024 protest.

Columbia confirmed Davidai’s exit, with a spokesperson offering a curt "We wish him the best." Yet, the professor’s departure raises bigger questions about free speech, campus activism, and institutional accountability. Davidai’s frustration—shared by many—underscores a growing divide over how universities navigate politically charged protests.