The American University of Columbia announced Friday the suspension of two fraternities that organized demonstrations calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict, accusing them of “repeatedly violating university rules.”
• Also read: Macron “calls on Israel to stop bombings” killing civilians in Gaza
• Also read: Israel raises death toll from Hamas attack on October 7 to 1,200
• Also read: Hezbollah said seven of its fighters were killed in Israeli strikes
Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace will be suspended for the entire fall semester, University Vice President Gerald Rosberg announced.
“This decision was taken after both associations repeatedly violated the university’s rules on holding events on campus, culminating in an unauthorized event on Thursday afternoon that took place despite warnings and resulted in threatening speech and intimidation,” he said in an explanation.
Mr Rosberg made it clear that the suspensions would only be lifted if the two associations showed a willingness to respect the university’s rules.
“This ensures both the safety of our community and the continuity of the university’s core activities,” Rosberg added.
Hundreds of Columbia students walked out of class on Thursday to take part in a demonstration organized by the two student organizations in question, according to US media.
On this occasion, they called on the American government to push for a ceasefire in Gaza, where Israeli bombings have claimed more than 11,000 lives, mostly civilians, including more than 4,500 children, according to the Hamas government’s health ministry.
Bombings in retaliation for the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israeli territory that killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, according to a new official Israeli figure that was revised downward on Friday.
Some US media reported that students at Thursday’s protest called on the university to call the Israeli attack on Gaza a “genocide” and to stop working with Israeli institutions.