Clash between parties escalates. - Columbia University Faces Possible Expulsion Following Demonstrations
Demonstrators supporting the Palestinian cause face potential expulsion from New York's Columbia University following their unauthorized takeover of Hamilton Hall. The university's stance was firm: "We can't let protests keep disrupting our work indefinitely. There will be consequences if this behavior persists," they declared.
The action by these protesters, against Israel's activities in Gaza and the US government's backing of the Jewish state, has attracted attention from the White House as well. The more than dozen students who occupied Hamilton Hall, which has a history of being a site for anti-Vietnam War demonstrations, face the severity of being kicked out of the prestigious institution.
Across the country, protests on college campuses have been ongoing for nearly two weeks, with more than a thousand arrests reported since their inception. Yesterday, law enforcement intervened in a number of states, including California, Georgia, and North Carolina.
On Monday, Columbia University issued a statement saying they'd suspend students if they didn't vacate the protest site on campus by the afternoon. Yet, it backfired as videos from the venue showed protesters, donning black and white Palestinian scarves, shattering windows and blocking access to Hamilton Hall with tables and chairs. The Columbia Spectator reported that hundreds of protesters gained entry into the building, with even more demonstrating outside.
The student organizations "Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine" and "Columbia University Apartheid Divest" have vowed to remain in Hamilton Hall until their demands are met. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), they declared, "Occupying a building is a small risk in comparison to the daily resistance faced by Palestinians in Gaza." Their objectives include condemning Israel's actions during the Gaza war and demanding support for the Palestinians. They are also calling for Columbia University to dissociate from Israel financially. The university has thus far refused.
The US government addressed the matter, with National Security Council Communications Director John Kirby expressing his disapproval of the violent occupation. "This is not a peaceful demonstration," he said. "Students shouldn't allow a small group to hinder their academic pursuits and feel threatened."
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres weighed in, condemning hate speech while advocating for freedom of expression. He urged universities to handle the predicament appropriately.
A few weeks ago, a New York police operation at Columbia University raised controversy and sparked mass demonstrations. Protesters were accused of anti-Semitism and belittling the terror group Hamas, which aims to annihilate Israel.
Israel's President Izchak Herzog found the "shameful anti-Semitic acts" at Columbia University distressing. He called for a stop to anti-Semitic actions on campuses in a X post. He warned about the possible risks to university life and Jewish students' safety.
Between October 7 last year and now, Hamas and other Islamist organizations are accused of killing over 1,200 individuals and holding 250 hostages in the Gaza Strip. Israel, in response, carried out a ground invasion and aerial strikes on Gaza, leading to the deaths of approximately 34,500 people according to the Hamas-controlled health authority. The veracity of these numbers is questionable.
Read also:
- Football turmoil in Munich: Last-minute penalty stuns Bayern
- Steinmeier Faces Backlash Over "Expert Caliber" Remark
- US State Department Lacks Own Standards in Regard to Israel
- A United Nations court denies allegations against Germany.
Source: www.stern.de
