Columbia University president steps down following controversy over Israel-Hamas conflict demonstrations.

Minouche Shafik, who served as the president of Columbia University in New York City, stepped down on Wednesday following the controversy surrounding her handling of pro-Palestinian protests on campus earlier this year. This incident sparked widespread debates on the Israel-Hamas conflict at the school.

Her resignation adds to the growing list of Ivy League school presidents who have resigned amidst similar controversies related to the conflict, particularly in major urban areas where protests were sparked by events at Columbia last semester.

“This period has been challenging for my family and our community,” Shafik wrote in an email to students and faculty. “After much reflection over the summer, I have decided that stepping down now is in the best interest of Columbia as we face future challenges.”

A former World Bank official, Shafik announced that the UK’s foreign secretary has asked her to take on a senior government role in England.

Similar to other university presidents like Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania, Shafik found herself in a difficult position after testifying before Congress in April. Her counterparts faced resignations shortly after similar scrutiny.

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Despite efforts to address concerns about antisemitism, Shafik’s actions during the spring semester only exacerbated tensions on campus. Anti-Zionist protestors staged demonstrations demanding the university cut ties with Israel. Shafik labeled the protests as violations of university policies and summoned the NYPD, resulting in over 100 arrests.

After protests escalated to the occupation of an academic building, Shafik called for law enforcement intervention, contradicting her earlier stance. This incident underscored ongoing dissent over the Middle East conflict on campus.

Dig deeper into Columbia protests:How the university became a focal point in the Israel-Hamas debate

Katrina Armstrong, the CEO of Columbia University Irving Medical Center, has been named the interim president following Shafik’s resignation, as confirmed by the board of trustees in a statement.

The board expressed confidence in Armstrong’s leadership during this transition and urged the community to support her in her new role.

In response to Shafik’s resignation, House Speaker Mike Johnson issued a statement calling it “long overdue” and emphasizing the need to address antisemitism on college campuses. He hopes this serves as a wake-up call for administrators nationwide.

Contributing: Charles Ventura, USA TODAY

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