Jewish student disputes suspension from Columbia

After months of Columbia University anti-Israel groups asserting they had been targeted in a chemical weapons attack by an Israeli student at a protest, it was revealed in a complaint filed Tuesday against the university challenging his suspension that he had only used a novelty fart spray.

The student had been suspended after attending a January 17 Pro-Palestinian protest in which “he sprayed into the air a novelty, nontoxic ‘fart’ spray named ‘Liquid Ass’ and ‘Wet Farts.’” The complaint filed to the United Stated Southern District of New York Court stated that he had purchased the gag sprays on Amazon for $26.11.

Students for Justice in Palestine Columbia (SJP) and Jewish Voice for Peace Columbia (JVP), both of which had been suspended in November for holding unsanctioned events, claimed that activists had been hospitalized after being attacked with an “illegal chemical-based weapon.”

SJP had claimed that the student, a former IDF soldier, had used Skunk, a foul-smelling anti-riot agent. Pro-Palestinian activists have frequently referred to the incident and the “chemical warfare” in online advertisements and activist materials.

The filing noted that there was no evidence to support the claims that the students were harmed by the spray, and that who that filed complaints against the plaintiff had declined counseling and medical evaluations.

They had also opened fundraising pages for donations to alleviate their alleged suffering. The university allegedly accepted these claims to characterize the plaintiff as dangerous.

“Plaintiff brought this spray along with him to the rally, to express his speech and thoughts regarding the proHamas pro-Palestine, anti-Israel sentiment,” said the filing. “Students at the rally shouted genocidal slogans such as ‘Intifada,’ ‘Jewish Genocide,’ ‘Glory to the Martyrs,’ ‘Expulsion of IOF [IDF] students,’ and ‘From the river to the sea, Palestine will be Free.’