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Shai Davidai

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Shai Davidai
שי דוידאי
Born1983 or 1984 (age 40–41)
Ramat Gan, Israel
TitleAssistant Professor of Business
Children2[1]
Awards
Academic background
Alma mater
Doctoral advisorThomas Gilovich
Academic work
Institutions

Shai Davidai (born 1983 or 1984) is an Israeli assistant professor of business at Columbia Business School[1] known for his outspoken advocacy for Israel and against the 2024 Columbia University pro-Palestinian campus occupations.[2][3] After the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel and subsequent Gaza war, Davidai's pro-Israel activity led him into conflict with Columbia University students, faculty, and administrators.[4] He was suspended from the university for alleged harassment of faculty.[5]

In 2025, Columbia student and pro-Palestine activist Mahmoud Khalil named Davidai as one of the two main individuals behind his arrest and detention.[6]

Early life and education

Davidai is Jewish[7] and was born in Ramat Gan, Israel.[8] His father was born in Haifa and his mother in Givatayim;[8] they still live in Israel.[9] His grandfather, Benjamin, was vice president of El Al and assisted in capturing Adolf Eichmann.[9][10] Davidai grew up in Kiryat Ono.[9] He did not want to do his military service in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, so he signed up for the Israeli navy, where he served as a medic.[10]

Davidai earned a B.A. in psychology and cognitive science from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 2009.[1][11] After moving to the United States around 2009,[9] he earned a Ph.D. in social psychology and personality psychology from Cornell University in 2015.[1][11][12] Professor Thomas Gilovich was his Ph.D. advisor.[10]

Career

Davidai did a post-doctoral fellowship at the Princeton University School of Public and International Affairs in 2015-16.[11] His first faculty position was at The New School for Social Research, where he was assistant professor of psychology from 2016 to 2019.[11][9]

In 2019, Davidai joined the Columbia Business School faculty as assistant professor of business.[1][9] He studies how people's views on inequality, success, and failure affect their well-being.[13][1] His work has been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and numerous social and experimental psychology journals.[14] His findings on FOMO, nepo babies, and perception of income inequality have been featured in The New York Times,[15] Scientific American,[16] The Guardian,[17] and The New Yorker.[18]

Columbia University protests

See also: 2024 Columbia University pro-Palestinian campus occupations

After the October 7 attacks on Israel and subsequent Gaza war, protests erupted at numerous educational institutions, including Columbia University. After a Columbia SJP leader and a faculty member called the attacks "an unprecedented historic moment" and "a stunning victory", Davidai spoke at a candlelight vigil on campus.[19] He approached the Columbia Business School dean, met with the university president,[12] and called on the school administration to condemn Hamas.[12] Davidai gave a speech he called an "open letter to every parent in America", warning them about antisemitism at universities and criticizing university leadership for supporting pro-terror campus organizations.[19][9] He argued that KKK or ISIS supporters would not be allowed to demonstrate on campus.[19][20] He described his alarm at students' "hatred" of "the existence of Israel as a homeland for the Jewish people".[21] The same month, Tablet published an article by Davidai and his wife in which they wrote that they had lost friends due to their pro-Israel activism, despite their left-wing Israeli politics, including avoid purchasing items from the Israeli-occupied West Bank.[22][23][24]

In April 2024, Davidai's ID card was temporarily deactivated, preventing him from accessing the main campus.[25][26][27] A petition alleging that he harassed pro-Palestinian students on social media and calling for his termination obtained over 10,000 signatures.[25][28][29] According to university president Minouche Shafik, over 50 complaints were lodged against Davidai, and he was investigated for harassment.[30][31][32] Davidai denied targeting any individual students and said he focused on student organizations that support terrorism.[32][33][31] He added that he was receiving death threats and other harassment.[10][34] Davidai called for the National Guard to respond to student protests.[10][35][36] In May, Davidai reported that he had regained access to campus.[37]

In October 2024, Davidai was temporarily suspended from Columbia's campus. The university said he had repeatedly harassed university employees. He subsequently published a video of himself following and questioning a university administrator about the university's response to pro-Palestinian protests on campus that day.[4][38][5] Columbia said Davidai threatened and intimidated the university's chief operating officer, Cas Holloway, violating university policies.[4] Over 400 university professors, students, parents, alumni, and staff signed a letter to interim university president Katrina Armstrong calling Davidai's suspension "egregious".[39] In December 2024, when a Jewish student alleged he was punched in the face at a Barnard pro-Palestinian protest, Davidai argued that the university's inadequate response to campus protests had promoted the conditions leading to the violence.[40]

In February 2025, Davidai asked Betar US to leave a protest he had organized. Since then, Davidai and Betar have publicly criticized each other.[23][41][42] Betar has criticized part of a Tablet article which they interpret as Davidai supporting boycotting Israel.[41][23] Davidai has called Betar "a group of violence-loving thugs".[23]

In March, Davidai posted a message to Secretary of State Marco Rubio on X calling for the deportation of Palestinian student protester Mahmoud Khalil.[43] Khalil was detained by ICE a few days later.[44][45] Davidai supported the arrest[46] but expressed concern that Khalil would not receive a fair trial.[45]

Political views

Davidai opposes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, supports a two-state solution, and avoids buying items made in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.[23][24][10] He participated in the 2023 Israeli judicial reform protests in Tel Aviv, during which he was punched in the face.[10][47] Thomas Gilovich has called him a "peacenik".[10] He considers himself pro-Israel, pro-Palestinian, anti-terror,[19] and a liberal leftist.[24] [10] He has been critical of Columbia University's response to pro-Palestinian campus occupations and antisemitism on its campus.[48][49] His videos include warnings against the dangers of hate speech.[50] He interprets "from the river to the sea" and "globalize the intifada" as calls for violence against Israelis and Jews.[22] He has noted that student organizations have condemned "Zionists" on campus.[22]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Kristy Bleizeffer (June 5, 2023). "2023 Best 40-Under-40 MBA Professors: Shai Davidai, Columbia Business School," Poets & Quants.
  2. ^ Patel, Vimal; Otterman, Sharon (October 16, 2024). "Columbia Bars Vocal Pro-Israel Professor From Campus". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
  3. ^ souza, sabrina (October 16, 2024). "Shai Davidai: Columbia University temporarily bans pro-Israel professor after October 7 protest". CNN. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c Patel, Vimal; Otterman, Sharon (October 16, 2024). "Columbia Bars Vocal Pro-Israel Professor From Campus". The New York Times. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  5. ^ a b Marcelo, Philip (October 16, 2024). "Shai Davidai: Pro-Israel professor at Columbia barred from campus after harassing and intimidating other employees". AP News. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
  6. ^ Thakker, Prem (March 10, 2025). "SCOOP: Emails Show Mahmoud Khalil Asked Columbia for Protection a Day Before He Was Detained". Zeteo. Archived from the original on March 11, 2025. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
  7. ^ Pisani, Joseph (October 16, 2024). "Columbia Suspends Pro-Israel Professor From Campus". WSJ. Archived from the original on October 16, 2024. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
  8. ^ a b Shai Davidai (September 17, 2024). "I was born in Ramat Gan...," Twitter (X).
  9. ^ a b c d e f g Maltz, Judy (October 23, 2023). "This professor is warning Jewish parents to keep their kids away from elite U.S. colleges". Haaretz.com. Archived from the original on October 25, 2023. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i Stieb, Matt (April 25, 2024). "The Professor Protesting Columbia's Own Students". Intelligencer. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
  11. ^ a b c d "Shai Davidai," Columbia Business School.
  12. ^ a b c Judy Berger (May 30, 2024). "WJC 'Israel Connection' Series Features Columbia Professor Shai Davidai," Jewish Link.
  13. ^ Michael W. Kraus, Shai Davidai, and A. David Nussbaum (May 1, 2015). "American Dream? Or Mirage?," The New York Times.
  14. ^ "Shai Davidai," Columbia Business School.
  15. ^ Mullainathan, Sendhil (April 28, 2017). "To Help Tackle Inequality, Remember the Advantages You've Had". The New York Times. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  16. ^ Fitz, Nicholas (March 31, 2015). "Economic Inequality: It's Far Worse Than You Think". Scientific American. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  17. ^ Frank, Robert H (October 8, 2017). "How much of a role does luck play in our success or failure?". The Telegraph. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  18. ^ Konnikova, Maria (November 17, 2016). "America's Surprising Views on Income Inequality". The New Yorker. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  19. ^ a b c d Otterman, Sharon (October 24, 2023). "Columbia Postpones Giving Day Fund-Raiser as Conflict Over Israel War Deepens". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 17, 2023. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  20. ^ Shai Davidai (October 2023)/ "An Open Letter to Every Parent in America," YouTube.
  21. ^ Sutton, Mia (June 30, 2024). "Professor Shai Davidai speaks out against antisemitism and hate on college campuses". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  22. ^ a b c Tress, Luke; Magid, Jacob; Berman, Lazar; Fabian, Emanuel; Magid, Jacob; Bachner, Michael; Fabian, Emanuel (March 9, 2024). "Israeli professor who's slammed campus antisemitism says Columbia investigating him". The Times of Israel. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  23. ^ a b c d e "After spat with firebrand Shai Davidai, Betar USA founder banned from Zionist Congress". Times of Israel. May 2, 2025. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
  24. ^ a b c Davidai, Shai; Greenspan, Yardenne (February 14, 2024). "Ivy League Antisemitism". Tablet Magazine. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  25. ^ a b Closson, Troy (April 22, 2024). "Scenes of Campus Protests at Columbia, Yale, MIT and NYU in Photos and Video". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 31, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  26. ^ "Columbia University: Pro-Palestinian protesters refuse to disband". BBC News. April 23, 2024. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
  27. ^ "For college faculty, supporting protesters is a new job — and risk". Washington Post. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024.
  28. ^ "Pro-Israel Columbia professor accused of harassment prevented from accessing main campus". Middle East Eye. April 22, 2024. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
  29. ^ Zuloaga, Joseph. "SJP petition calls for termination of Business School professor Shai Davidai". Columbia Daily Spectator. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
  30. ^ Thakker, Prem (April 17, 2024). "Columbia Suspended Two Students for Assault on Gaza Rally, School Says in Antisemitism Hearing". The Intercept. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
  31. ^ a b "At House hearing, Columbia president says university could do more against antisemitism". Times of Israel. April 18, 2024. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
  32. ^ a b Buchwald, Elisabeth (April 18, 2024). "Professor who Columbia president said was 'spoken to' for calling Hamas invasion 'astounding' says he wasn't disciplined | CNN Business". CNN. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
  33. ^ Tress, Luke (April 22, 2024). "Columbia protests: Israeli professor barred from campus and Congress members demand action to protect Jewish students". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
  34. ^ Bandler, Aaron (March 11, 2024). "Columbia Prof Shai Davidai Says University Has Launched Retaliatory Investigation Against Him". Jewish Journal. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
  35. ^ Lapin, Andrew (May 6, 2024). "Columbia cancels commencement amid pro-Palestinian protests". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
  36. ^ Berman, Nina (May 2, 2024). "Columbia's Campus in Crisis". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Archived from the original on May 2, 2024. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
  37. ^ Haskel, Adam (May 20, 2024). "Shai Davidai admitted back to Columbia campus". JNS.org. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
  38. ^ Tress/Jta, Luke (October 17, 2024). "Columbia bars Shai Davidai, outspoken Israeli and pro-Israel professor, from campus". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  39. ^ Gomez-Sotomayor-Roel, Aleka (November 2, 2024). "Hundreds of Columbia affiliates sign letter condemning suspension of Shai Davidai, calling for reversal". Columbia Daily Spectator. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  40. ^ Starr, Michael (December 12, 2024). "Jewish Columbia student punched in face by anti-Israel activist". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  41. ^ a b "Kol Israel seeks Betar USA's expulsion from WZC elections over 'inflammatory rhetoric'". The Jerusalem Post. February 25, 2025. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
  42. ^ "'Embraces Islamophobia, Harasses Muslims': ADL Lists Far-right Betar USA as Hate Group". Haaretz. February 21, 2025. Archived from the original on February 22, 2025.
  43. ^ Shapiro, Eliza (March 9, 2025). "Immigration Authorities Arrest Pro-Palestinian Activist at Columbia". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 21, 2025.
  44. ^ Wilson, Michael; Rothfeld, Michael; Ley, Ana (March 16, 2025). "How a Columbia Student Activist Landed in Federal Detention". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on March 20, 2025. Retrieved March 21, 2025.
  45. ^ a b Hogan, Gwynne (March 12, 2025). "Mahmoud Khalil Supporters Throng Court as Civil Rights Lawyers Plead His Case". THE CITY - NYC News. Retrieved March 21, 2025.
  46. ^ Line, Shira Dicker/The Media (March 11, 2025). "'He wasn't arrested for speaking up': Columbia U still rocked by arrest of campus protest leader". Ynetnews. Retrieved March 21, 2025.
  47. ^ "Antisemitism U". Opinion: Free Expression - WSJ Podcasts. April 24, 2024. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
  48. ^ Rosman, Katherine (April 22, 2024). "On Columbia's Campus, a Protest Encampment Grows and Tensions Flare". The New York Times. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  49. ^ Ewe, Koh (April 23, 2024). "Who Is Shai Davidai? The Columbia Professor Protesting Protesters". TIME. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
  50. ^ "July 25, 2024," Instagram.
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