Columbia University Switches to Remote Learning Amid Pro-Palestinian Protests

The shift comes a day after an Orthodox rabbi at Columbia University advised Jewish students to stay away from campus for their safety.

Pro-Palestine supporters, some in tents, gather on the campus of Columbia University in New York on April 22, 2024. Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Columbia University has canceled all in-person classes on Monday due to protests at the campus over Israel’s military actions against Hamas in Gaza.

In a statement on April 22, Columbia University President Minouche Shafik announced that all classes would be held virtually as Passover begins, saying the decision was made to “deescalate the rancor and give us all a chance to consider next steps.”