Deen Haleem, a Columbia Law student, on November 16, 2023 led an antisemitic protest in the lobby of the Jerome L. Greene Hall on Columbia’s campus. During the event, Haleem issued demands including a ceasefire, accusations of “genocide,” and calls to isolate Jews. Haleem also rejected the globally recognized definition of antisemitism, which includes denying the Jewish right to self-determination.
The protest occurred just weeks after Hamas’s October 7, 2023 terror attack, which resulted in the massacre of over 1,200 Jews, including children, and widespread atrocities such as rape, torture, and kidnapping. His actions show support to all of the above.
Deen Haleem’s Antisemitic Activism and Organizational Roles
Haleem has been affiliated with Columbia Law Students for Palestine (CLSP) and Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD), organizations that have amplified hostility toward Jewish students on campus, and caused disruption. CUAD, described as a coalition for “collective liberation,” has pushed for divestment and the reinstatement of suspended groups like Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP).
Haleem’s Background and Education
Deen Haleem is a Columbia Law School student expected to graduate in 2024. He has served as a teaching assistant for Columbia’s Criminal Defense Clinic and volunteered as a parole advocate. Previously, Haleem was a staff editor for the Columbia Human Rights Law Review.
Haleem completed his undergraduate studies at Davidson College in 2021, where he focused on Arab studies, politics, and history. His academic credentials and leadership roles have placed him at the forefront of campus activism, where his actions have contributed to a climate of divisive, violent rhetoric and polarization at Columbia University.
