Columbia University bans student protest leader Khymani James for saying 'Zionists don't deserve to live'

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Social media users were left baffled recently when Khymani James, a Columbia University student, made some controversial statements targeting those who support Israel amid the ongoing conflict with Hamas.

Columbia University has been in the spotlight since April 17 when protest camps sprung up. This came after Nemat "Minouche" Shafik, the university president, faced tough questions from a Republican-led House Committee regarding her response to antisemitism following the October 7 Hamas attack.

The demonstrations in support of Palestine are primarily organized by groups like Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD), Students for Justice in Palestine, and Jewish Voice for Peace.

The university recently gave an extra 48 hours for students protesting in solidarity with Palestinians and against Israel's actions in Gaza to dismantle their encampments and wrap up the demonstrations. The extended deadline was April 26.

Columbia University protest leader Khymani James goes viral for scandalous remarks 

The Daily Wire brought to light some seriously inflammatory statements made by James, a prominent figure in the "Gaza Solidarity Encampment" ongoing at the college.

In a video recorded back in January, James didn't hold back, saying things like "Zionists don't deserve to live."

In the clip uncovered by The Daily Wire, James introduces himself, then launches into some intense rhetoric, "Zionists in my DM wanting to meet up and fight. I don't fight to injure or for there to be a winner or loser, I fight to kill."

He doesn't stop there. James goes on to define Zionists as "white supremacists" and asserts, "What is a Zionist? A white supremacist. And so let's be very clear here. I'm not saying that I'm going to go out and start killing Zionists. What I'm saying is that if an individual who identifies as a Zionist threatens my physical safety in person, i.e., puts their hands on me, I am going to defend myself. And in that case scenario, it may come to a point where I don't know when to stop. There should not be Zionists anywhere. Zionists, along with all white supremacists need to not exist."

These remarks resurfaced on social media, causing quite a stir.

NBC News reports that Columbia University has taken action against James, barring them from setting foot on campus. This decision follows the resurfacing of the video brought to light by the Daily Wire on Thursday.

A university representative confirmed James' banishment from campus but refrained from divulging further details regarding the circumstances or any disciplinary actions.

Addressing the ongoing protests, Columbia officials released a statement on Friday denouncing the recent emergence of "vile videos."

As per NBC News, the university emphasized, "Chants, signs, taunts, and social media posts from our own students that mock and threaten to 'kill' Jewish people are totally unacceptable, and Columbia students who are involved in such incidents will be held accountable."

Internet slams Khymani James 

A user wrote, "This is sick."

Another user wrote, "This is important. THIS is one of the organizers of the @Columbia protest, that sparked the protests to spread across the nation. THIS IS WHO THE ACADEMIC WORLD IS FOLLOWING!!!!"

A user commented, "Khymani would not last very long living among those he purports to be supporting."

Another user commented, "Future cashier at your local McDonalds for the rest of his life. He won't have time to worry about activism to make sure the rent is paid."

A user stated, "Why hasn't he been expelled?"

Another user stated, "I should call the FBI and report him for making terroristic threats. Maybe they’ll get around to it sometime in September. 🤔"

 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.