Columbia University in the USA has reported that some students who entered the Hamilton Hall building during last year’s demonstrations in support of Palestine were expelled, suspended, and those who graduated had their diplomas temporarily revoked. The Discipline Committee of Columbia University stated in an email to students that it had taken disciplinary action against students who participated in protests supporting Palestine. It was mentioned that some students who entered the historic Hamilton Hall building last year were suspended, expelled, and graduates had their diplomas temporarily revoked. The number of students affected by these sanctions was not disclosed. PROTESTS AT US UNIVERSITIES Students supporting Palestine at Columbia University initiated a sit-in on the campus lawn on April 16, 2024, to protest the school’s ongoing financial investments in companies supporting Israel’s attacks and occupation of Gaza, and set up a tent camp named the Gaza Solidarity Camp. Rector Minouche Shafik on the second day of the protests requested assistance from the New York City Police Department (NYPD) to disperse the demonstrators – police ultimately arrested 108 students who had entered the campus. Subsequently, negotiations reached an impasse on April 29, 2024, leading students to enter the historic Hamilton Hall building, prompting NYPD riot police to intervene the next day and evacuate the building upon the school administration’s request. Police also dispersed the tent camp on the lawn. The support demonstrations for Palestine at Columbia University spread to more than 50 other universities in the country, resulting in over 3,100 arrests of mostly students and faculty members by law enforcement. Organizations under the administration of US President Donald Trump announced a review of federal contracts and grants with Columbia University in New York due to allegations of antisemitism. LEADER OF PROTESTS ARRESTED US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials arrested Mahmoud Halil, a Palestinian activist graduate student who played a significant role in anti-Israel protest demonstrations at the university last year. Halil’s attorney, Amy Greer, confirmed in a statement that Halil was arrested by ICE officials at his residence in a building near the Manhattan campus owned by the university. The Trump administration had canceled $400 million in funding for Columbia University on March 7, citing alleged shortcomings in combating antisemitism.