Michael Harris, a professor of mathematics at Columbia University, has been a vocal supporter of pro-Hamas activities and an advocate of extremist rhetoric, making him a deeply divisive figure in academia. Through his actions and affiliations, Harris has perpetuated narratives that glorify extremist ideologies and alienate Jewish students and others opposed to terrorism.

Participation in Pro-Hamas Encampments

The Pro-Hamas Encampment at Columbia University (April 2024)

• Harris actively participated in the “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” held at Columbia University in April 2024.
  • He was featured in multiple photos and videos, seen wearing an orange faculty vest marked “FACULTY,” as part of a group that formed a “human barricade” to support the encampment and obstruct others, including Jewish students, from accessing campus facilities.
  • Harris aligned himself with activists who demanded Columbia’s divestment from companies allegedly complicit in “genocide and occupation,” a euphemism often used to justify anti-Israel rhetoric.
  • The encampment was marked by violent incidents, including the illegal takeover of campus buildings, the holding of a university worker hostage, and the display of propaganda celebrating Hamas.

Solidarity with Extremism

• Harris’s involvement in the encampment reflected solidarity with pro-Hamas rhetoric, as participants openly praised Hamas’s actions and displayed slogans such as “LONG LIVE THE INTIFADA” and “DEATH TO AMERICA.”
  • The term “Intifada,” which has connotations of violent uprisings, was a central theme of the encampment, further underscoring Harris’s endorsement of radical ideologies.

Promotion of Anti-Israel Rhetoric

Support for the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) Movement

• Harris has been a proponent of the BDS movement since at least 2016, claiming it to be a “peaceful way” to exert pressure. However, BDS has been widely criticized for its anti-Semitic underpinnings and its goal of delegitimizing Jewish self-determination.

Statements and Affiliations

• Harris’s public stance and affiliations align with the anti-Israel Center for Palestine Studies at Columbia, further highlighting his ideological commitment to undermining Israel’s legitimacy.
• His rhetoric, often couched in academic language, fosters an environment hostile to Jewish students and others who oppose extremism.

Conclusion

Michael Harris’s participation in pro-Hamas activities, vocal support for the BDS movement, and alignment with anti-Israel rhetoric make him a polarizing figure whose actions contribute to hostility and division within academic and broader communities. His endorsement of extremist ideologies undermines the principles of inclusivity and peace, positioning him as a figure whose actions align with radical and dangerous narratives.