Columbia University Cracks Down On Pro-Palestine Student Activists. Trump Orchestrating It?

Columbia University has intensified its disciplinary actions against students critical of Israel, with its newly established Office of Institutional Equity taking action against several individuals.

One of those targeted is final-year student Maryam Alwan, who faces allegations of harassment after publishing an opinion piece in the student newspaper advocating for divestment from Israel.

Photo Credit: https://x.com/Columbia

In recent weeks, the disciplinary office has issued notices to dozens of students for activities such as sharing pro-Palestinian content on social media and participating in unauthorised demonstrations.

Some are even under investigation for actions outside the university, including distributing stickers criticising university trustees and co-organising an art exhibition referencing a past campus occupation.

Alwan was informed that her article, which called for severing Columbia's academic ties with Israel, could be deemed "unwelcome conduct" on the grounds of religion, nationality, or military service.

She described the situation as "dystopian" and admitted it had made her reluctant to speak out on the issue again. The university warned that disciplinary consequences could range from a formal warning to expulsion.

The new disciplinary body has faced backlash from students, academics, and free speech campaigners, who argue that Columbia is capitulating to external pressures-including threats from US President Donald Trump to withdraw university funding and deport protesting students.

On Monday, federal agencies announced they were considering cutting $51 million in contracts with Columbia and reviewing billions in additional grants over alleged "inaction" against antisemitic harassment. However, the university defended its stance, stating that it does not tolerate calls for violence or terrorism on campus.

Meanwhile, House Republicans have launched their own inquiry into Columbia's disciplinary procedures, demanding records related to nearly a dozen incidents.

The committee operates under strict confidentiality, requiring students to sign non-disclosure agreements before accessing details of their cases. Some students claim they have been falsely accused of attending protests or posting social media content with which they had no involvement. Others report being pressured to reveal the names of peers engaged in pro-Palestinian activism.

Jewish students have also been subjected to disciplinary action for participating in pro-Palestinian protests, while others have accused the administration of fostering an antisemitic environment on campus.

The crackdown has reignited student demonstrations, with protesters occupying buildings at Barnard College, Columbia's affiliated institution, following the expulsion of two students accused of disrupting an Israeli history lecture.

Tensions escalated on Wednesday night when police arrested several protesters after an hours-long standoff.