Columbia University Expels Disruptive Anti-Israel Protesters

Columbia University has expelled students who seized Hamilton Hall during last year’s disruptive anti-Israel protests on campus. The Ivy League school also handed out multi-year suspensions and revoked degrees from graduates involved in the takeover. This crackdown follows federal funding cuts and pressure to address harassment of Jewish students.

The protests erupted last spring with students occupying the building to demand divestment from Israel-linked investments. Administrators called it a violent breach of campus rules prompting a swift police response to clear the hall. Now Columbia is sending a message that such actions carry steep consequences.

The Trump administration recently yanked 400 million dollars in federal aid from Columbia over its handling of the unrest. Officials cited failures to protect Jewish students from a wave of anti-Semitic incidents tied to the protests. Columbia’s Hillel director hailed the disciplinary moves as a step toward accountability.

Affected students include both current enrollees and alumni who graduated since the incident unfolded. Expulsions bar them from returning while degree revocations strip credentials already earned. Suspensions stretch up to five years effectively derailing academic and career paths for many.

Critics of the protests say they crossed into chaos with property damage and threats to student safety. Supporters argue the punishments are overly harsh and stifle free expression on a divisive issue. Columbia insists it’s balancing free speech with a secure campus environment.

The decision comes amid a national reckoning over campus activism and its limits in the Israel-Palestine debate. Other universities may follow suit as pressure mounts to curb disruptive tactics by student radicals. Columbia’s actions could set a precedent for how schools handle similar flare-ups.

Jewish student groups praised the move but say more must be done to root out campus hostility. Protest organizers vow to fight the penalties claiming they’re victims of political retaliation. The fallout has deepened divisions at Columbia as both sides dig in.

This marks a turning point for Columbia after months of criticism over its protest response. Administrators hope it restores order and trust but risk alienating swaths of the student body. How this plays out could shape Ivy League policies for years to come.