Jennifer Mnookin, named Columbia University's next president, is drawing criticism from an anti-Israel activist group for her role in clearing a Gaza Solidarity encampment at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in May 2024. The police action resulted in 34 arrests; most were cited and released and the encampment reportedly returned the following day. Columbia’s trustees praised Mnookin’s leadership and consensus-building; she will take office on July 1. The story follows Columbia’s recent settlement with the federal government over allegations of discrimination against Jewish students.
Columbia's New President Draws Fire: Critics Condemn Mnookin Over 2024 Encampment Crackdown
Columbia University anti-Israel group slams new president as 'fascist' over previous encampment bust-up
Jennifer Mnookin, Columbia University's announced incoming president, is already facing criticism from an anti-Israel activist group over her actions as chancellor of the University of Wisconsin–Madison in May 2024.
Jennifer Mnookin attends UCLA Black Law: 50th Anniversary Solidarity Gala at The Beverly Hills Hotel on April 4, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California.(Getty Images)
Criticism Over Madison Encampment
On the social platform X, the unofficial group CU Apartheid Divest accused Mnookin of ordering police to clear a Gaza Solidarity encampment at UW–Madison, calling her appointment evidence of a "fascist" administration. According to reporting by the University of Wisconsin–Madison student newspaper The Daily Cardinal, the May 2024 operation involved campus and local police clearing encampments set up by Students for Justice in Palestine and Wisconsin Young Democratic Socialists of America; the event led to 34 arrests. Most of those detained were cited and released, and the encampment reportedly reappeared the next day.
A demonstrator protests outside the encampment established in support of Palestinians in Gaza at Columbia University on April 29, 2024, in New York City.
Appointment And Reactions
The Columbia University Board of Trustees announced Mnookin will succeed acting president Claire Shipman, with her term to begin on July 1. The search followed the resignation of Minouche Shafik amid controversy over anti-Israel protests and encampments.
Columbia University students participate in an anti-Israel encampment on their campus on April 25, 2024, in New York City.
"Jennifer will be an exceptional leader for Columbia’s future," said board co-chairs David J. Greenwald and Jeh C. Johnson, praising Mnookin as a "distinguished scholar" and a consensus builder who "does not shy away from making difficult decisions when necessary."
Mnookin responded that she was "honored and thrilled to join Columbia University at this important moment," and noted in a message to students that she understands the "significant uncertainties and heightened scrutiny many universities are now facing" after leading a public flagship university through a complex period.
Context
Last July, Columbia reached a settlement exceeding $200 million with the federal government over allegations of discrimination against Jewish students; Education Secretary Linda McMahon said at the time that the negotiations brought the matter to a close and described Columbia as aware it "had an antisemitism problem."
Columbia did not immediately return a request for comment on the recent criticism of Mnookin. The appointment is likely to draw continued attention as Mnookin prepares to assume leadership of one of the nation's most prominent universities amid ongoing campus tensions over Israel–Palestine politics.
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