Columbia censors, suspends student groups over pro-Palestine stances

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
11 Nov 2023 03:06
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Columbia University in New York declares the suspension of activities for the groups Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) on its campus.

A mock apartheid wall at Columbia University (AFP)

Columbia University has declared the suspension of pro-Palestinian groups, Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), for the remainder of the fall semester. The university stated on Friday that the suspension is due to alleged violations of student policies, particularly those related to "threatening rhetoric".

"Suspension means the two groups will not be eligible to hold events on campus or receive University funding. Lifting the suspension will be contingent on the two groups demonstrating a commitment to compliance with University policies and engaging in consultations at a group leadership level with University officials," wrote the University's Senior Executive Vice President Gerald Rosberg in the statement.

As per the statement, Columbia decided after "unauthorized events" on Thursday afternoon, which consistently breached university policies regarding the organization of campus events. These violations encompassed alleged instances of "threatening rhetoric and intimidation." The suspension implies that both suspended student groups are ineligible to host events on campus or receive financial support from the university, as mentioned in the statement.

While the statement lacked clarity on the specific reasons for the suspension, it was reported that on Thursday, hundreds of students engaged in a peaceful walkout and art installation organized by the two student groups. The event aimed to advocate for a ceasefire in Gaza.

In a similar event, the president of Harvard University condemned the pro-Palestinian slogan "from the river to the sea" and referred to other phrases she deemed "similarly hurtful" in an email addressed to the university community. “Our community must understand that phrases such as ‘from the river to the sea’ bear specific historical meanings that to a great many people imply the eradication of Jews from Israel and engender both pain and existential fears within our Jewish community,” wrote Claudine Gay.

According to Politico, many viewed the slogan as a call for "violence against Israel and a rejection of Israel's right to exist," but Palestinians argue that it's only a call for independence from the Israeli occupation and for the Palestinians to reclaim their land.