In 1936, Columbia Stood with Hitler — Now It Stands with Netanyahu

Columbia University has long been a battleground for political discourse, with its student body historically engaging in protests that challenge global injustices. Yet, as the institution prides itself on academic freedom and open debate, its administration has repeatedly suppressed certain student movements—raising questions about where the university draws the line on activism.

In 1936, Columbia found itself at the center of controversy when it expelled student Robert Burke for protesting against Nazi Germany. Nearly 90 years later, the university is once again making headlines, this time for suspending and expelling students involved in anti-Zionist demonstrations. These two incidents, though separated by decades, reflect a striking pattern of the university’s willingness to curtail student activism when it clashes with powerful political and financial interests.

https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1936/09/25/87998077.html?pageNumber=19

1936: Columbia’s Ban on Anti-Nazi Protests

During the rise of Nazi Germany, Columbia University maintained formal ties with Heidelberg University, a German institution that had become a hub of Nazi ideology. When Columbia decided to send a delegate to Heidelberg’s 550th anniversary celebration, many students voiced outrage, arguing that such participation amounted to complicity with the Nazi regime.

Robert Burke, a student leader, became the face of this resistance. He organized protests condemning Columbia’s affiliation with Nazi-aligned institutions. However, instead of addressing these concerns, the university administration retaliated by expelling Burke, citing his activism as disruptive. This move sent a chilling message to students—that political dissent against powerful entities could come at great personal cost.

Despite the risks, student activists at Columbia persisted in their opposition to Nazi Germany. Their efforts mirrored a broader movement across American campuses that sought to expose and resist fascist influences within academic institutions. Columbia’s crackdown on anti-Nazi protests was a stark example of how universities often prioritize maintaining political relationships over responding to student-led calls for justice.

2025: Columbia’s Suppression of Anti-Zionist Protests

Today, Columbia University faces a similar controversy, this time over its response to anti-Zionist student activism. Amid the escalating Israeli-Palestinian conflict, students have organized protests condemning Israeli military actions and U.S. support for the Israeli government. Many demonstrations have taken place on campus, including sit-ins and the occupation of university buildings.

Rather than engaging in dialogue, Columbia has taken severe disciplinary actions against the protesters. Several students have been suspended, while others have been expelled or had their degrees revoked. The administration justified these punishments by citing violations of university policies, but critics argue that the real motivation is external pressure from political forces.

The crackdown comes amid threats from the Trump administration to cut federal funding to universities accused of fostering “anti-Semitic” environments. Conservative lawmakers and donors have exerted intense pressure on Columbia and other institutions to curb student protests critical of Israel. In response, Columbia has adopted a hardline stance, effectively silencing dissenting voices on campus.

A Pattern of Political Suppression

The parallels between 1936 and 2025 are difficult to ignore. In both cases, Columbia’s administration acted to suppress student activism when it challenged powerful geopolitical interests. The university’s ties to Nazi Germany in the 1930s and its current financial and political entanglements with pro-Israel advocacy groups suggest that institutional priorities often outweigh student demands for justice.

This pattern raises broader concerns about the role of universities in democratic societies. Are academic institutions truly committed to fostering open debate, or do they selectively suppress movements that threaten their political alliances and financial interests?

For Columbia, these questions remain unanswered. But history suggests that students will continue to fight for their right to protest—just as they did in 1936 and as they are doing today.

When Money Trumps Morality: The Bankruptcy of For-Profit Education

The suppression of student activism at Columbia University is not just a matter of political pressure—it is a symptom of the moral bankruptcy of for-profit and elite education. Universities, once envisioned as bastions of free thought and debate, have increasingly become corporate entities driven by financial interests, donor influence, and government funding.

When maintaining lucrative relationships with powerful institutions takes precedence over intellectual integrity, academic freedom becomes a hollow promise. Columbia’s historical and present-day crackdowns on dissent reveal how elite universities selectively silence voices that threaten their financial and political standing. In this system, truth and justice are commodities to be traded, rather than principles to be upheld.