Columbia University is distancing itself from a controversial activist group using its name after a series of social media posts praising Iran and condemning the United States sparked outrage.
The group, calling itself “Columbia University Apartheid Divest” (CUAD), posted on X following the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was reportedly killed in joint U.S.-Israeli military operations on Feb. 28. In one post, the account described the news as “devastating.”
“Our hearts are with the Iranian people. Iran has every right to defend itself against zionist warfare,” the account wrote.
The posts quickly drew criticism and prompted a response from Columbia University, which moved to clarify that the organization is not affiliated with the school.
Devastating news. Our hearts are with the Iranian people. Iran has every right to defend itself against zionist warfare. https://t.co/vap2XYa1Go
— CU Apartheid Divest (CUAD) (@ColumbiaBDS) March 1, 2026
In a statement released March 1, the university said it strongly condemns the rhetoric used by the group and is exploring legal options to prevent it from presenting itself as connected to the institution.
“It’s deeply troubling to see this anonymous X account assert a false connection to Columbia, using such unequivocally reprehensible language,” the statement said. “The University condemns the use of such violent, abhorrent language, and its use in conjunction with our institution.”
The controversy intensified after the group posted the phrase “Marg bar Amrika,” a Persian slogan commonly translated as “Death to America.” The account later claimed that X forced it to delete the message in order to regain access after it violated the platform’s rules, but added that “the sentiment still stands.”
Columbia University’s anti-Israel student group, CUAD—which organized the campus encampment—just tweeted “Death to America” in Persian. pic.twitter.com/5egmIPKhAP
— Avi Mayer אבי מאיר (@AviMayer) February 28, 2026
Columbia officials said the university does not know who runs the account and has found no evidence so far that the people controlling it are current students, faculty, or staff.
“The matter has been referred to law enforcement for further investigation,” the university said, adding that it is considering additional legal avenues to stop the group from using Columbia’s name and logo.
The incident comes as Columbia continues to face intense scrutiny over activism related to the Israel–Hamas conflict. Since the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attacks by Hamas and the subsequent war in Gaza, the campus has seen large demonstrations from students calling for the university to divest from companies connected to Israel.
Protesters involved in those movements argue that Israel’s actions toward Palestinians constitute systemic oppression. Critics, however, have accused some campus groups of promoting rhetoric that crosses into support for extremist positions.
