Columbia University suspends dozens of students on interim basis over anti-Israel protest

Columbia University on Friday said it suspended dozens of students who participated in a rowdy anti-Israel demonstration in one of the school's libraries earlier this week.

The group of over 100 anti-Israel protesters stormed the Butler Library on campus Wednesday, bypassing security to do so, and took over the building while students were studying for finals. The New York Police Department (NYPD) arrested 80 people in connection to the protest, who were charged with trespassing.

The school said over 65 students were suspended, and 33 people were barred from the campus over the protest who were not affiliated with the university. 

"At this time, more than 65 Columbia students are on interim suspension pending further investigation," a Columbia spokesperson told Fox 5 New York.

It is not clear how long the suspensions will last, or the investigations will take. It is also not clear whether any actions will result in expulsion. 

The development comes a day after Columbia students and members of the New York Jewish community urged the school administration to crack down on protests at the school, especially as students prepare for final exams. 

"This happened during preparation for final exams — they don’t qualify as serious students,” Joseph Postasnik, executive vice president of the New York Board of Rabbis, said. “There should be harsh consequences — people were assaulted. Columbia needs to come down hard or this activity will happen again and again.”

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.