After an outburst earlier today, Shai Davidai, a non-tenured professor at Columbia University’s business school, faced restricted access to parts of the campus.
Davidai, an Israeli-American who proudly served in the IDF, has been vocal about his Zionist beliefs and has repeatedly clashed with pro-Palestinian activists at Columbia, accusing them of being anti-Semitic and supportive of Hamas.
He has even called for the National Guard to intervene against pro-Palestine students and has compared Columbia protestors to “Hitler youth.”
Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine have launched a petition calling for his dismissal, citing numerous complaints against him, including recent ones from 15 Jewish students who were arrested and suspended during a protest demanding divestment from Israel.
In a post on Jewish Voice for Peace’s Instagram account, the students accused Davidai of making derogatory remarks, including calling them “Judenrat Kapost” and threatening them with “the last train to Auschwitz.” They expressed concerns about their safety with Davidai still teaching on campus and having access to spaces important to the Jewish community.
Davidai’s family background adds complexity to the situation. His father, Eli Davidai, is an Israeli business executive associated with ARC, a company involved in manufacturing weapons components.
ARC’s 2018 SEC filing mentions Eli Davidai’s role as General Manager of Operations and his position on the company’s board. The company manufactures various weapons parts, including those used by the Israeli military.
Shai Davidai’s crybaby behavior is somewhat expected, given his affluent upbringing. His parents, Eli and Zohara Davidai, sponsored The Davidai Arrhythmia Center in Tel Hashomer, Israel, where even Benjamin Netanyahu received medical treatment.
Interestingly, Eli Davidai has a longstanding business relationship with Alan Quasha, CEO of Quadrant Management, who also serves on the Board of Directors of ARC. Quasha has a diverse business background, including involvement in ventures tied to US national security.
In addition, Shai Davidai’s grandfather, Benny Davidai, was known for his role as a strikebreaker, adding another layer to the family’s history.
While Davidai claims it’s unsafe for him on campus, Columbia faculty, including Jewish members, staged a walkout this afternoon in solidarity with student protestors.
