Conflicts

Columbia Professor Alleges Israel Instigated Protests in Iran

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Jan 14, 2026

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Hamid Dabashi, a professor of Iranian studies at Columbia University, has claimed that recent protests in Iran were instigated by Israel. The demonstrations, which reportedly began in December in response to soaring inflation and the collapse of the national currency, have since expanded to include demands for broader political change. Dabashi alleged that Israeli intelligence agents were present among the demonstrators and suggested the unrest was being influenced to distract from the situation in Gaza and the West Bank.

As evidence for his claims, the professor cited the appearance of Israeli flags at the protests and a social media post by former CIA Director Mike Pompeo. A spokesperson for Columbia University stated that while Dabashi is entitled to his personal views, they do not represent the institution. The spokesperson did not respond to requests for further comment on the matter.

The controversy occurs as the university continues to address allegations of antisemitism on campus following a two-year conflict that began in 2023. In December, an internal task force released a report detailing instances of harassment and discrimination faced by Jewish and Israeli affiliates. Acting President Claire Shipman recently noted that the administration is working to balance academic freedom of expression with the need to prevent discrimination. Additionally, the university recently resolved claims of employment discrimination against Jewish faculty through a $21 million settlement, which was reportedly secured by President Donald Trump.

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• Economic origins of the unrest Reports indicate that the demonstrations in Iran began in December specifically in response to domestic economic issues, such as soaring inflation and the collapse of the national currency. While the protests later expanded to include demands for broader political change, these accounts attribute the initial spark to internal financial instability rather than foreign direction.

• Distance from faculty statements and discrimination concerns Columbia University explicitly stated that Dabashi’s views do not represent the institution, a clarification made amidst ongoing efforts to address campus climate issues. An internal task force recently released a report detailing instances of harassment and discrimination faced by Jewish and Israeli affiliates following a conflict that began in 2023.

• Legal and administrative measures regarding discrimination The university is actively working to balance academic freedom with the prevention of discrimination, having recently resolved claims of employment discrimination against Jewish faculty. This resolution involved a $21 million settlement, which was reportedly secured by President Donald Trump, as the administration continues to navigate allegations of antisemitism on campus.

How it may affect me

As a U.S. reader:

• You may observe shifts in university policies as administrators attempt to balance academic freedom of expression with obligations to prevent discrimination and harassment on campus.

• The $21 million settlement resolving employment discrimination claims highlights the substantial financial and legal consequences institutions face when addressing allegations of bias against faculty members.

• Students and employees at higher education institutions may see increased focus on campus climate as task forces release findings on harassment and discrimination against specific groups.

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