We, the undersigned, are deeply disappointed that as Columbia students are struggling to navigate online learning, and while the COVID-19 pandemic has plagued our communities, the Columbia Council Student College (CCSC) and Columbia University Apartheid Divest pushed forward a tone deaf, misleading, and hateful Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) referendum onto the student body.

The referendum question itself is biased, failing to call the question what it truly is: BDS. BDS is a movement that is rooted in antisemitism and has stained our campus, and other campuses across the country, misleading student bodies by presenting a one-sided view of the conflict in the Middle East.

Columbia’s mission statement strongly emphasizes diversity and creating valuable relationships worldwide. This BDS referendum fails on both of these accounts. Rather than sparking a peaceful discussion of Columbia’s global impact, the passage of this BDS referendum silences and marginalizes the Jewish community on our campus during a time when violent antisemitism is on the rise.

As students, alumni, faculty, and concerned community members, we are united together and in agreement that BDS is not the solution. Sign the petition to stand against BDS at Columbia!