Columbia University Apologizes for 'Smoked' Sauce Menu Item Near October 7th Date
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Columbia University apologized after a "smoked" sauce pasta dish was listed with the October 7th date on a campus dining hall menu. The university called it an "unfortunate error" and stated it was not related to the Hamas attack anniversary. The explanation did not convince many online, amid a backdrop of recent antisemitic incidents and anti-Israel protests on campus.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Columbia University apologized for a menu listing that paired "smoked" sauce with the October 7th date.
- The university called the menu item an "unfortunate error" unrelated to the Hamas attack anniversary.
- A photo of the menu item circulated on social media, sparking debate and criticism.
- Online commenters expressed skepticism about the university's explanation.
- Columbia's campus has experienced numerous antisemitic incidents and anti-Israel protests since October 7th.
Columbia University has issued an apology after a menu item in one of its dining halls sparked controversy. A pasta dish with "smoked" sauce was listed alongside the date October 7th, the third anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel. The menu appeared on Wednesday in a campus dining hall, and a photo of it quickly circulated on social media, prompting debate about whether the pairing was a coincidence or intentional.
In response, Columbia University stated that the menu listing had no connection to the October 7th attacks. "This was an unfortunate error and was not intended to refer to the events of October 7th," the university said in a statement. "The smoked sauce was intended to be served, and when that information was copied into the menu template, the date was mistakenly left in. Our staff removed the signage as soon as the error was identified. We apologize for the confusion and distress this has caused."
The university's explanation did not satisfy many online commenters. "If this had happened anywhere other than Columbia, I might believe it was a mistake," one user wrote. "In the current situation, I really don't believe it."
Since the October 7th massacre, Columbia's campus has seen numerous antisemitic incidents and anti-Israel protests. Some demonstrations have included threatening rhetoric directed at Jewish students. In one confrontation, protesters told Jewish counter-protesters that the October 7th massacre would happen again "every day" and "10,000" times. In another incident, a demonstrator displayed a sign calling for Hamas's military wing to murder Jewish students on campus.
