At Columbia University, a large group of students entrenched in an anti-Israel protest encampment remained on campus despite the university’s 2 p.m. ultimatum to disperse. The university, situated in Manhattan’s prestigious Ivy League precinct, witnessed hours of defiance as students refused to vacate their makeshift tent city. This act of protest is part of a broader series of demonstrations concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
By late afternoon, university officials, represented by Vice President of Public Affairs Ben Chang, announced at a press conference that the administration had started suspending students who ignored the dispersal order. Chang emphasized that the encampment was disrupting the educational environment and creating an unwelcoming atmosphere for many Jewish students.
The university’s response followed a tension-filled day marked by student leaders openly mocking the administration’s ultimatum. As the deadline passed, students, some waving Palestinian flags, continued to occupy the campus, loudly voicing their defiance and solidarity with Palestine. Their slogans included calls for an intifada and the liberation of Palestine from river to sea, phrases that have been criticized by organizations like the Anti-Defamation League as antisemitic.
In response to the ongoing occupation, Columbia distributed notices informing the protesters of the consequences of their suspension. These included the deactivation of their student IDs, barring them from university property, and potentially jeopardizing their academic semester and graduation eligibility.
The university’s steps to enforce the dispersal order included preparing for possible police intervention. However, as of the evening, no direct police action had been taken to physically remove the students. The university maintained a cautious approach, likely mindful of the potential for escalation.
This ongoing crisis at Columbia reflects wider national and international tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly how they manifest in academic settings. It raises significant questions about the balance between campus safety, free expression, and the impact of international issues on local educational environments.