Columbia University suspends, expels students involved with anti-Israel demonstrations on campus

Columbia University has punished more than 70 students over their alleged involvement with anti-Israel demonstrations on campus, the New York Post has learned.

The incidents in question pertain to the Butler Library takeover, which occurred on May 7 during finals week, and the infamous Spring 2024 anti-Israel Gaza encampment. The punishments come after the Trump administration pulled $400 million in federal grants and contracts for the university in May, citing Columbia's failure to police anti-semitism on campus.

Sources told the NYP that approximately two-thirds of the involved students received one to three-year suspensions, with the majority receiving two-year suspensions. Students were informed about their pending punishments on Monday, following an internal investigation by Columbia University's judicial board. Some students were expelled.

"Our institution must focus on delivering on its academic mission for our community. And to create a thriving academic community, there must be respect for each other and the institution's fundamental work, policies, and rules," a Columbia spokesperson said in a statement. "Disruptions to academic activities are in violation of University polices and Rules, and such violations will necessarily generate consequences. The speed with which our updated UJB system has offered an equitable resolution to the community and students involved is a testament to the hard work of this institution to improve its processes."

More than 60 students were hit with interim suspensions in May after a mob of demonstrators, many of whom were concealing their identities behind keffiyehs, stormed the Butler Library to protest Israel's war against Hamas. The unruly group occupied the facility for roughly five hours while students were studying for final exams.

Protesters allegedly significantly vandalized the library during the ordeal, and NYPD officers were called to respond after two campus public safety officers were injured when agitators first stormed the building. Students were given the chance to exit the library before being locked inside. NYPD officers rushed in and detained dozens of agitators who failed to leave the library.