Columbia University has taken disciplinary action against 80 students involved in a pro-Palestinian protest that occupied the university’s main library in early May 2025. This is one of the largest numbers of suspensions for a single political demonstration in the institution’s history. The university’s response included investigations, campus bans, and interim suspensions.
The university has taken action after the Trump administration cancelled hundreds of millions in research grants, citing inadequacies in addressing antisemitism during last year’s protests. Below, we will explore the details, background, and implications based on official university statements and reports from Reuters and The New York Times.
Columbia University issued final determinations on July 22, 2025, after investigating rules violations from the May protest. The school banned participants from campus and placed them on interim suspension. Columbia for Palestine reported that students received notifications on July 21.
The university stated: “We support free speech. But demonstrations and other protest activities that occur inside academic buildings present a direct impediment to maintaining our core academic mission.” This aligns with commitments made after the administration’s funding cuts.
Columbia University expelled and suspended nearly 80 students, some losing degrees over protests and encampments against Israel’s war on Gaza https://t.co/tytDjnipZk pic.twitter.com/rmTlojtTKi
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) July 23, 2025Background on the Protest and Arrests
The May demonstration led to multiple arrests as students seized the library to protest Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Protesters, including Jewish groups, argue their criticism of Israel is wrongly labelled as antisemitism. The Gaza campaign followed Hamas’ October 2023 attack on Israel.
Columbia’s response mirrors last year’s protests, which prompted the administration’s penalties for inadequate handling of alleged harassment against Jewish and Israeli community members.
In March 2025, the Trump administration cancelled research grants, contending Columbia failed to address antisemitism. The university then adopted a controversial definition equating anti-Zionism with antisemitism and cut ties with Columbia University Apartheid Divest.
Columbia Issues Expulsions, Pulls Degrees Over Pro-Palestinian Protests As Pressure From Trump Administration Mounts https://t.co/1Mybx1qLtc
— Forbes (@Forbes) July 22, 2025Similar pressures target Harvard and include deportation attempts for foreign pro-Palestinian students, though courts have blocked some. Rights advocates raise concerns about due process and free speech.
Protesters claim the administration conflates advocacy for Palestinian rights with extremism. “The Trump administration has wrongly conflated our criticism of Israel’s military assault in Gaza with antisemitism,” a statement from Columbia for Palestine read.
This reflects ongoing U.S. campus tensions over Middle East issues, with government leveraging funding for compliance. The suspensions and funding cuts spark debates on free speech. Advocates worry about stifling dissent, while the university prioritises core missions.
