Columbia University funnelled six-figure grants to pro-Israel groups while cracking down on pro-Palestine activists
A review of tax filings shows Columbia University awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars to pro-Israel organizations, while simultaneously suspending pro-Palestine student groups and calling police on protesters.
An analysis of Columbia University’s tax-exempt filings indicates the school distributed several hundred thousand dollars to pro-Israel entities such as the Israel on Campus Coalition ($100,000) and the American Israel Education Foundation ($75,000) in the fiscal year ending June 2024, with additional payments to groups like the Anti-Defamation League. Concurrently, Columbia’s administration suspended pro-Palestine student organizations, cleared Gaza-solidarity encampments and twice requested New York City police to detain protesters demanding financial transparency.
Faculty member Joseph Howley described the pattern as confirming the university’s “official policy” favoring Israel. The grants were routed through a donor-advised fund, a mechanism that obscures donor identities. Critics, including activist Maryam Alwan and alumni, argue the funding contradicts academic neutrality and supports organizations that oppose pro-Palestine activism.
Why it matters
The story highlights how university funding choices can influence campus free speech and reflect broader political alignments.
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