Avi Friedman

Avi Friedman is an Israeli-American professor of financial economics at Columbia University, known for his outspoken views on the university's handling of pro-Palestinian protests on campus. Born in Canada, he moved to Israel at a young age and has maintained a strong connection to his Israeli roots throughout his academic career. Friedman has been a vocal critic of the university's decision to offer a course taught by Joseph Massad, a professor known for his critical stance on Zionism. He argues that such decisions promote an anti-Zionist narrative and has expressed concerns about the increasing hostility towards Israel and Jews in academic spaces. His resignation from Columbia was a protest against these developments, reflecting a broader struggle over free speech and academic integrity within higher education.