Palestinians Sue US University Over Discrimination

A group of current and former Palestinian students and staff has sued Columbia University in New York, accusing it of discriminating against Palestinians at the university since late 2023.

The lawsuit alleges that the university failed to protect Palestinian students and staff from harassment and subjected them to what the plaintiffs described as “unfair and biased disciplinary proceedings”. Columbia has previously denied discrimination but declined to comment on the lawsuit.

Protests took place at Columbia and universities across the United States after the war in Gaza began following the deadly Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023. Demonstrators called for an end to US support for Israel and urged universities to divest from companies they accused of supporting Israel’s military campaign.

In May 2025, Columbia suspended more than 65 students for their role in shutting down its main library during a pro-Palestinian demonstration. The protest came as the university was negotiating with President Donald Trump’s administration, which had cut off federal funding after accusing Columbia of tolerating antisemitism during pro-Palestinian protests.

Protesters, including some Jewish groups, argue that opposition to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and its occupation of Palestinian territories is not antisemitic and that advocacy for Palestinian rights should not be equated with supporting extremism. In July 2025, Columbia agreed to pay the US government more than $200m to resolve federal investigations and restore most of its federal funding.

Free-speech groups condemned the university’s crackdown on protesters, who faced arrest, suspension, expulsion and degree revocation.

(Reuters, Max)