Lana Oconnell
Columbia University has been at the forefront of pro-Palestinian protests by students, with a large number of Palestinian students taking part. The university has seen widespread demonstrations, including the occupation of its main library, resulting in arrests and disciplinary action. The protests have been in response to the war in Gaza, with students demanding that the university cut ties with companies supporting Israel's military occupation of Palestinian territories. The university has faced scrutiny and funding cuts from the Trump administration, which has accused it of failing to combat antisemitism and protect Jewish students. The protests have sparked counter-protests and lawsuits from Jewish students, alleging harassment and civil rights violations.
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What You'll Learn
Pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University
Columbia University has been the site of several pro-Palestinian protests, with some resulting in arrests and injuries.
On May 7, 2025, dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested by the NYPD and loaded into buses after occupying part of the Butler Library at Columbia University in New York City. The students seized the library's second-floor main reading room, hanging banners that said "Strike For Gaza" and "Liberated Zone." The university called the takeover "outrageous," and two public safety officers were injured as a crowd surged to force their way into the library. The Columbia University Apartheid Divest group shared photos on social media, reiterating their demands for divestment and amnesty for students facing university discipline.
Columbia University was also at the forefront of a pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel student protest movement that swept across U.S. campuses. On April 17, 2024, pro-Palestinian students established around 50 tents on the East Butler Lawn, calling it the Gaza Solidarity Encampment and demanding that the university divest from Israel. The university president authorized the NYPD to enter the campus and conduct mass arrests, which led to the establishment of a new encampment the next day.
In addition to these protests, a Palestinian student activist at Columbia University, Mohsen Mahdawi, led protests against the war in Gaza and was arrested during an interview for U.S. citizenship. Mahdawi shared his story of growing up in a refugee camp in the occupied West Bank and witnessing the killing of his best friend by an Israeli soldier. He was released by a judge and led supporters in chants of "No fear" and "Free Palestine."
Another Palestinian student, Mahmoud Khalil, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and is being held in detention in Louisiana. Pro-Palestinian protesters at Columbia University rallied in support of Khalil, who was called a "Radical Foreign Pro-Hamas Student" by President Donald Trump.
These protests have resulted in consequences for the university, with the Trump administration threatening to cut federal funding and investigations into allegations of antisemitism on campus. Columbia University switched to hybrid learning for the rest of the semester following the protests and cancelled the university-wide graduation ceremony scheduled for May 15, 2025. The university has also faced scrutiny from civil rights groups and accusations of giving in to government intrusions on academic freedom.
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Arrests of Palestinian students at Columbia
Columbia University has been the site of several pro-Palestinian protests, with Palestinian students at the forefront of these demonstrations. On May 7, 2025, dozens of students were arrested by the NYPD during a protest at Butler Library, one of the largest pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus. This protest was in response to Israel's war in Gaza, with students demanding divestment from companies supporting Israel's military. The university called the protest an outrageous takeover, and the arrested students faced charges of trespassing, property destruction, and disorderly conduct.
In addition to these arrests, there have been several notable cases of Palestinian student activists being detained by US immigration authorities. Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian student at Columbia University, was arrested during an interview for US citizenship due to his participation in protests against the war in Gaza. He was later released by a judge who ruled in his favour. Mahmoud Khalil, another prominent Palestinian student activist at Columbia, was also arrested and detained in a Louisiana detention centre. Khalil's arrest was part of a Trump administration crackdown, with the former president accusing pro-Palestinian protesters of antisemitism and threatening US foreign policy interests.
The Columbia University Apartheid Divest group, which includes Palestinian students, has been vocal in its demands for the university to divest from companies supporting Israel's military occupation of Palestinian territories. They have also called for amnesty for students facing discipline for their involvement in protests. These protests have sparked debates about the boundaries of free speech and academic freedom, with civil rights groups criticising university administrations for giving in to government intrusions.
The arrests of Palestinian students at Columbia University have highlighted the tensions between pro-Palestinian activism, accusations of antisemitism, and the exercise of free speech rights on college campuses. These incidents have also brought attention to the Trump administration's hardline stance on pro-Palestinian protesters, including deportation efforts and funding cuts to universities. The impact of these arrests extends beyond the individuals involved, shaping the discourse on academic freedom and the role of universities in political discourse.
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Columbia's divestment from Israel
Columbia University has been the site of several pro-Palestinian protests in recent years, with students calling for the university to divest from Israel. In 2025, dozens of protesters were arrested after occupying part of the university's Butler Library. The protesters, many of whom were wearing masks, demanded that the university cut ties with companies that support Israel's military occupation of Palestinian territories. Some of the protesters were seen standing on tables, beating drums, and unfurling banners with messages such as "Strike For Gaza" and "Liberated Zone".
These protests are part of a broader movement across US universities, with students demanding that their institutions divest from companies doing business with Israel. At Columbia, this movement has been led by a group called Columbia University Apartheid Divest, which is a coalition of dozens of campus groups, including the Students for Justice in Palestine chapter. They have called for the university to divest from its $14.8 billion endowment in weapons makers and other companies that support Israel's military occupation of Palestinian territories.
The university has faced intense scrutiny and criticism for its handling of these protests, with accusations of giving in to government intrusions on academic freedom. The Trump administration has also cancelled hundreds of millions of dollars in grants to the university, citing a failure to protect Jewish students from discrimination and a rise in antisemitism on campus. In response to the protests and scrutiny, Columbia University President Minouche Shafik stepped down, and the university announced that it may lay off 180 staff members due to the loss of federal grants.
Despite the pressure and protests, Columbia University has maintained that it will not divest from Israel. In April 2024, negotiators failed to come to an agreement, and Shafik announced that the university would not be divesting. However, the student movement for divestment remains strong, and it is clear that this issue is one of great importance to many members of the Columbia University community.
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Columbia's stance on antisemitism
Columbia University has faced scrutiny and criticism for instances of antisemitism on its campus. In 2024, there were reports of protests, statements, and campus encampments by students and faculty following the Hamas-led attack on Israel and the subsequent Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip. This led to accusations of antisemitism and an investigation by Congress. University president Minouche Shafik condemned antisemitic acts and remarks, acknowledging that the university was in a "moral crisis". However, the university's handling of the situation was criticised, and it faced funding cuts from the Trump administration, which accused it of failing to protect Jewish students from discrimination.
In May 2025, pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University led to the arrest of dozens of students. The protesters had occupied part of the university's main library, demanding divestment and an end to the university's investment in companies supporting Israel's military occupation of Palestinian territories. While some characterised these protests as antisemitic, student protesters, including Jewish organisers, countered that such accusations unfairly conflated pro-Palestinian protests with antisemitism.
In response to instances of antisemitism, Columbia University has implemented measures to combat it and foster an inclusive campus environment. The university has simplified the process for reporting and filing complaints, increased personnel dedicated to handling these issues, and established a centralised Office of Institutional Equity to swiftly address reports of antisemitism, discrimination, and harassment. Additionally, Columbia has strengthened its public affairs capabilities to respond rapidly to incidents and disseminate statements condemning antisemitic conduct and reaffirming its commitment to a community free from discrimination and harassment. The university has also improved the transparency and communication of its disciplinary processes and reorganised its framework for handling antidiscrimination and harassment issues, including those related to antisemitism.
While Columbia University has taken steps to address antisemitism, it continues to grapple with accusations and incidents. The university's interim president, Katrina Armstrong, acknowledged that the university had failed to prevent violence, hate, and discrimination targeting Jewish students. The university's history with antisemitism dates back to the early 20th century, when it imposed quotas on Jewish students, restricting their enrolment and making attendance more difficult for Jewish students from impoverished families.
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Columbia's Palestinian Student Union
Columbia University in New York City has been the site of several pro-Palestinian protests in recent years. In May 2025, dozens of students were arrested in a protest at the university's Butler Library. The students were demonstrating against Israel's war in Gaza and calling for an end to the university's investment in companies that support Israel's military occupation of Palestinian territories. This protest was one of the largest pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus since a wave of protests in 2024.
The Columbia University Apartheid Divest, a collection of student groups, has been actively advocating for the university to divest from companies that support Israel's military occupation of Palestine. They have also demanded amnesty for students, faculty, and staff facing university discipline for their participation in pro-Palestinian activities. In response to the May 2025 protest, the university requested assistance from the NYPD, resulting in the arrest of dozens of students and sparking criticism from civil liberties and Islamic advocacy groups.
In addition to the Palestinian Student Union, Columbia University also has an undergraduate student group called Dar: The Palestinian Student Society. This group focuses on engaging with and celebrating Palestinian culture, history, and identity.
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Frequently asked questions
Dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested by the NYPD at Columbia University in 2025. However, it is unclear how many of these protesters were students and how many were Palestinian.
It is unclear whether any Palestinian students were injured during the protest. However, one student appeared to have been injured during the protest.
Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian student activist at Columbia University, was arrested by immigration officials during an interview about finalizing his U.S. citizenship. Mahmoud Khalil, another Palestinian permanent resident of the U.S. and graduate student, was arrested and held in a Louisiana detention center.
The 2025 Columbia University protests were in response to the war in Gaza and Israel's military occupation of Palestinian territories. Protesters demanded that Columbia University no longer invest its $14.8 billion endowment in weapons makers and other companies that support Israel's military occupation of Palestinian territories.
