Columbia University suspends some students as Gaza protesters defy encampment deadline

By Zehra Nur Duz

Columbia University in the US has initiated the suspension of some students after pro-Palestinian demonstrators refused to vacate encampments on campus by the deadline on Monday, according to local media.

Despite the passing of the 2 p.m. deadline on Monday, some student protesters continued to occupy the campus, the Politico reported.

In a statement on Monday, Columbia President Nemat Minouche Shafik acknowledged the breakdown of talks between the university and the protesters, adding that the university has declined to “divest from Israel.”