Columbia University suspends pro-Palestinian groups for 'violating policies'

Columbia University has suspended two student groups, Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) and Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), for violating university policies in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war.

The two groups will be cut off from university funding and will not be allowed to hold on-campus events through the end of the fall term.

Gerald Rosberg, senior executive vice president of the University and chair of the Special Committee on Campus Safety said in a statement, “This decision was made after the two groups repeatedly violated University policies related to holding campus events, culminating in an unauthorized event Thursday afternoon that proceeded despite warnings and included threatening rhetoric and intimidation.”

“Lifting the suspension will be contingent on the two groups demonstrating a commitment to compliance with university policies and engaging in consultations at a group leadership level with university officials,” Rosberg added.

SJP has also been banned from Florida’s public universities. In Columbia, both SJP and JVP have been holding demonstrations calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Palestine war, accusing the Jewish country of “genocide.”

Last month, the Biden administration unveiled plans to combat rising cases of antisemitism in US colleges since the start of the Israel-Palestine war on October 7.

After holding a meeting with senior Jewish leaders, US President Joe Biden said that he is “very concerned” about the sharp rise in antisemitism on college campuses and announced measures to combat the issue.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) said its preliminary data showed a 388 per cent rise in antisemitic incidents in the US since October 7. The group reported 312 incidents including harassment, vandalism and assault. About 190 of those were directly linked to the war between Israel and Hamas, ADL said.