Columbia University's president defended the university's efforts to combat anti-Semitism to members of Congress.
Dr. Nemat Shafik was questioned amid a debate over free speech on U.S. campuses that escalated during the Israel-Gaza war that broke out in October.
Two other Ivy League university presidents also resigned last year in the face of backlash over their responses.
Dr. Shafiq condemned anti-Semitism, but was less clear when asked about specific pro-Palestinian slogans.
Appearing before the House Education and Labor Committee, Dr. Shafik was asked whether phrases used by some activists, such as “From the rivers to the sea, Palestine will be free,” were anti-Semitic.
“That's what I hear, and some people don't…This is a difficult issue because some people hear it as anti-Semitic and some people don't,” she said.
Jewish groups say the slogan, which refers to the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, calls for the destruction of the state of Israel. Defenders of the term argue that it is a cry for Palestinian independence.
Since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas in southern Israel that sparked the Gaza war, Republicans in Congress have accused America's elite universities of becoming havens for anti-Semitic hatred.
Dr. Shafiq previously stated that “Colombia strives to be a community free from all forms of discrimination and hatred and condemns the anti-Semitism that is prevalent today.”
When asked whether calls for the genocide of Jews were against university policy, Dr. Shafik said absolutely yes.
Three other City University of New York employees testified at Wednesday's hearing and gave similar answers to the questions.
“My view is that there is a valid moral crisis on campus,” Claire Shipman, co-chair of the board, told the committee.
“You're probably tired of hearing that I find the behavior of some students and some faculty members unacceptable.”
Dr. Shafiq said such hatred has increased on campus since October, but said the university is working to protect students.
She told the hearing that 15 students had been suspended and six were on probation for violating campus protest rules.
Last year, leaders of the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), Harvard University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology came under fire from politicians and alumni for appearing in the same House committee hearings.
The presidents of Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania have resigned following backlash over their failure to provide clear answers about whether “calling for the genocide of Jews” violates university policy.
Controversy erupted again earlier this week after the University of Southern California (USC) canceled a student's commencement speech amid backlash over social media activity against Israel.
Asna Tabassum, who was chosen to speak because of her high academic performance, said she was forced into silence, but the university cited campus safety risks.
According to student newspapers, the Columbia Spectator and Fox News, pro-Palestinian Columbia student activists set up tents on the campus lawn ahead of Wednesday's Congressional hearing until the university divested from companies with ties to Israel. He promised to occupy the space.