A Columbia University student who served in the Israeli military is suing the Ivy League organization after he was suspended for using “fart spray” during a pro-Palestinian protest. has accused the school of selectively enforcing policies meant to protect students.
The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in New York federal court, says the student, known as “John Doe,” previously served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The lawsuit alleges that the university hastened to punish the plaintiffs for their actions at the demonstrations while turning a blind eye to pro-Palestinian rallies filled with anti-Semitic rhetoric.
The student, described as a Jewish-Hispanic immigrant with dual U.S. and Israeli citizenship, participated in a “Divest Now” rally on campus on January 19.
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Pro-Palestinian protesters take part in separate demonstrations at Columbia University in New York City. (Getty Images; Tenny Sahakian/Fox News)
“As an expression of harmless speech, he sprayed into the air novel, non-toxic ‘fart’ sprays named ‘Liquid A-‘ and ‘Wet Farts,’ which he purchased on Amazon for $26.11,” the complaint states. Are listed. “Almost immediately, the University rushed to silence Plaintiff, placed him on interim suspension from the University, and issued a statement to the University community accusing Plaintiff of a hate crime and placing Plaintiff’s safety at grave risk. .”
The suit says Columbia remained silent when students asked the school for help after receiving anti-Semitism and death threats. Additionally, he was identified and labeled a criminal.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff had to leave her apartment and distance herself from her loved ones.
Days after the spraying incident, New York Governor Cathy Hochul supported the NYPD’s investigation into the matter.
“They’re doing the right thing to find out exactly what happened and get all the facts,” she said. “And if necessary, charge the perpetrators with a hate crime, or at least some form of assault, because that is unacceptable.”
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Pro-Israel demonstrators participate in a counter-demonstration at Columbia University on October 12, 2023 in New York City. (Julia Bonavita/Fox News Digital)
In addition to the suspension and investigation into the matter, the complaint cites a number of alleged anti-Semitic incidents at the school dating back decades, and says that after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, university administrators accused of failing to protect Jewish students. Anti-Israel protests have taken place on campus in the months since, with demonstrators chanting various anti-Semitic slogans and calling for an “intifada” and “genocide of the Jews.”
After the spraying incident, Interim Columbia Governor Dennis Mitchell issued a memo to the community, saying the NYPD was investigating what appeared to be a “serious crime, possibly a hate crime.” Stated.
Mitchell also said some students sought medical treatment after being exposed to droplets.
Students and faculty at Columbia University protested the exclusion of two pro-Palestinian organizations at the school. A Jewish student who was suspended for allegedly spraying fart spray during a pro-Palestinian protest in January is suing his school. (Tenny Sahakian/FOX News)
“The claims by pro-terrorist Columbia University students that a ‘biochemical weapon’ was sprayed in the ‘terrorist attack’ were false. They were sprayed with a novelty $10.99 fart spray sold by Amazon. ” said the student’s attorney, Jeffrey Lichtman. Fox News Digital.
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Students who say they were injured created a fundraising page and raised thousands of dollars, according to the lawsuit. Columbia University’s response to the incident and subsequent “biased investigation” will “significantly delay” the suspended student’s graduation date and “permanently impact and derail his future,” the lawsuit says. It is stated here.
The student is seeking unspecified damages. A university spokesperson declined to comment on the lawsuit to Fox News Digital, citing the company’s policy regarding pending litigation.
