Columbia Removes Suspension of Gaza Protesters

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Most of the Columbia University students who were disciplined, suspended, or arrested for participating in pro-Palestinian protests earlier this year will soon be allowed to return to campus, according to information shared by the university. The protests, which opposed Israel’s war in Gaza and called for an end to U.S. military support for Israel, have been part of a broader wave of demonstrations across the United States.

Columbia University has been a focal point of these nationwide protests, which have included a series of high-profile actions at educational institutions. The university’s handling of the protests led to the resignation of its president, Minouche Shafik, last week, highlighting the deep tensions and controversies surrounding the issue.

In April, pro-Palestinian protesters at Columbia set up dozens of tents on campus and demanded that the university divest from Israeli assets. The administration’s decision to involve police to clear the encampments was met with criticism from rights groups, who condemned the move as an infringement on the students’ right to protest.

According to information released by a Republican-led U.S. congressional panel, 40 students were arrested or disciplined when police were called to Columbia’s campus on April 18. Of these, only two students remain suspended. The panel, which is investigating allegations of antisemitism on campuses, has been critical of Columbia’s actions, describing them as insufficient.

Furthermore, of the more than 80 students arrested between April 29 and May 1, only five now face interim suspension without access to the campus. This information was made public on Monday, shedding light on the ongoing disciplinary actions at the university.

While most students will be allowed to return to campus, the university indicated that dozens of disciplinary cases remain unresolved. The group Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD), which organized the protests, expressed concern that these students could still face disciplinary action.

The April protests saw some violent clashes, leading to the arrests of dozens of protesters inside Columbia’s Hamilton Hall. Medical records show that several students sustained serious injuries during these confrontations.

Notably, the information released on Monday confirmed that Columbia University did not charge any protesting students with hate speech, a point of contention in the broader debate over campus free speech and protest rights.