Latest news with #BaselAl-ArajPopularUniversity
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Columbia suspends anti-Israel agitators after takeover, spreading of pamphlets glorifying alleged terrorist
Columbia University has temporarily suspended 65 students after anti-Israel agitators took over a campus building and handed out pamphlets that glorified an alleged terrorist this week. The protesters stormed into Columbia University's Butler Library on Wednesday evening, claiming to have renamed the building "Basel Al-Araj Popular University." According to the NYPD, 80 arrests were made, with 19 males and 61 females being taken into custody by police. Seventy-eight of those individuals were issued a desk appearance ticket for criminal trespass, and the other two arrested protesters were issued a summons. Homeland Security Investigations is requesting fingerprints and the names of those arrested to check their visa status. In addition to the student suspensions, Columbia has also barred an unspecified number of alumni from campus, and 33 others from affiliated institutions. Columbia Faculty Rights Group Condemns University's Handling Of Library Takeover: 'Authoritarian Ethos' At the time anti-Israel agitators rushed into the library, students were studying for final exams. Protesters were chanting "Free Palestine" and demanding that the university divest from Israel. Some protesters were seen climbing on tables inside the library. Read On The Fox News App During the library takeover, students handed out pamphlets glorifying Basel Al-Araj Popular University, an alleged terrorist who was suspected of planning attacks in Israel, according to The Times of Israel. Al-Araj was killed by the Israel Defense Forces and Israel Police's counterterrorism unit in 2017. Officials allege he was part of a terrorist cell plotting attacks on Israeli targets. He "directed the cell and was responsible for purchasing the weaponry," police said at the time. Al-Araj was killed after he opened fire on Israeli authorities during an arrest raid. Columbia University Apartheid Divest, which helped organize the library takeover, posted a portion of the pamphlet on its X account. Portions of the material handed out to students were posted online, showing the campus groups made a hero out of Al-Araj. Mostly Women Arrested In Columbia University Library Takeover: Nypd "At the original Popular University project in the West Bank, Basel al-Araj taught about the Palestinian resistance and insisted that knowledge must serve liberation, not empire," reads the pamphlet posted by CU Apartheid Divest. "Today, we teach each other the stories our universities refuse to tell. We feed each other, protect each other, learn with and from each other. The Popular University is not only a demand for divestment." Included in the pamphlets is a list of demands, which include divestment from Israel, "Cops and ICE off our campus" and amnesty for all Columbia University members facing discipline. Columbia's Acting President Slams Storming Of Campus Library By Anti-israel Agitators: 'Utterly Unacceptable' Claire Shipman, Columbia's acting president, said in a statement Wednesday the NYPD was called to help "secure" the library. She added that two university police officers were injured. "Sadly, during the course of this disruption, two of our Columbia Public Safety Officers sustained injuries during a crowd surge when individuals attempted to force their way into the building and into Room 301," Shipman said. "These actions are outrageous." In a separate statement, Shipman called out the library takeover as unacceptable. "Disruptions to our academic activities will not be tolerated and are violations of our rules and policies; this is especially unacceptable while our students study and prepare for final exams. Columbia strongly condemns violence on our campus, antisemitism and all forms of hate and discrimination, some of which we witnessed today. We are resolute that calls for violence or harm have no place at our University," Shipman said. Fox News' Greg Wehner, Alexis McAdams, Jennifer Johnson, Louis Casiano and Bill Melugin contributed to this article source: Columbia suspends anti-Israel agitators after takeover, spreading of pamphlets glorifying alleged terrorist
Int'l Business Times
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
Pro-Palestinian Protesters Occupy Columbia University Library, Prompting NYPD Sweep
NEW YORK — Dozens of pro-Palestinian demonstrators were arrested Wednesday evening after occupying part of Columbia University's Butler Library, an escalation of campus tensions tied to the Israel-Gaza conflict. The protesters, many wearing masks and kaffiyehs, breached a security gate shortly after 3 p.m. and took over the second floor of the library's main room, renaming it "the Basel Al-Araj Popular University," according to witnesses and the demonstrators' statements. The occupation, which disrupted students studying for final exams, appeared to be an attempt to reignite the protest movement that gripped Columbia's campus last spring. "Free, free Palestine," and "Free, free, free Palestine," chanted the protesters, with some also shouting, "Let them go, let them go, let them go," as reported by The New York Times. Banners were hung in the library's soaring main room, and clashes with public safety officers ensued. Columbia's acting president, Claire Shipman, condemned the action, stating, "Disruptions to our academic activities will not be tolerated and are violations of our rules and policies." She added, "Columbia strongly condemns violence on our campus, antisemitism and all forms of hate and discrimination, some of which we witnessed today." Shipman reported that two public safety officers were injured during a crowd surge outside the library as some individuals attempted to force their way in. Several protesters also appeared to have been injured. The New York Police Department, responding at the university's request, moved in after 7 p.m. to clear the library, arresting more than 70 people, according to a law enforcement official cited by Bloomberg. New York City Mayor Eric Adams, posting on X, emphasized, "While the city will always defend the right to peaceful protest, it will never tolerate lawlessness." The protest group, Columbia University Apartheid Divest, claimed responsibility for the occupation, stating on social media that it aimed to "The flood shows that as long as Columbia funds and profits from imperialist violence, the people will continue to disrupt Columbia's profits and legitimacy." The action follows months of heightened tensions at Columbia, including the arrests of activists like Mahmoud Khalil and Mohsen Mahdawi, and the Trump administration's cancellation of $400 million in federal funding over allegations of antisemitism. The university locked down the campus Wednesday, restricting access to students and essential staff. Columbia has faced criticism for its handling of protests, with some faculty and students arguing that administrators have stifled free expression. A university senate report recently suggested that last spring's occupation of Hamilton Hall could have been resolved without police intervention, highlighting ongoing debates over free speech and campus safety. Wednesday's events have drawn national attention, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating he is "reviewing the visa status" of the protesters. The incident underscores the challenges universities face in balancing free speech, student safety, and academic operations amid politically charged demonstrations. Originally published on University Herald
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Who was Bassel al-Araj – Palestinian activist at the centre of the Columbia library protest
. Masked protesters at Columbia University stormed the school's main library building Wednesday, distributing flyers and hanging banners honouring Bassel al-Araj . The demonstrators, part of a group reportedly linked to the radical activist network Unity of Fields, renamed the reading room 'the Basel Al-Araj Popular University'. The protesters passed around pamphlets describing al-Araj as a 'militant intellectual', reported The Post. The flyers contained factual errors, including a misspelling of his name. 'Basil was an intellectual, a militant intellectual . In fact, he was so much so to the point where 'The Militant Intellectual' is always understood to refer to him specifically,' the booklet read. Who was Bassel al-Araj? Bassel al-Araj was a Palestinian activist and writer known for his involvement in anti-occupation protests . He often took part in non-violent demonstrations against Israel's separation wall and settlement expansion, according to Al Jazeera. In April 2016, the Palestinian authority arrested him and five others on charges of holding unlicensed weapons and allegedly planning attacks on Israeli targets. During their detention, al-Araj and the others staged a hunger strike, claiming they were tortured. They were released nine days later without formal charges. After his release, al-Araj went into hiding. Israeli forces tracked him down in Ramallah in March 2017 and killed him during a raid on the house where he was staying. Israel claimed he was part of a terror cell preparing attacks.
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Pro-Palestinian students occupy Columbia University library, reviving campus movement amid federal scrutiny
Tensions at reignited on Wednesday when dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters entered the main library and staged a sit-in, disrupting student preparations for final exams. The demonstrators, many wearing masks and kaffiyehs, moved into the second floor of shortly after 3 p.m., Tired of too many ads? go ad free now hanging banners and chanting slogans. They renamed the space 'the Basel Al-Araj Popular University.' The group behind the action, , said in a statement that the occupation aimed to challenge the university's financial ties to what they call 'imperialist violence.' The protest is seen as a continuation of last spring's unrest, which included the occupation of Hamilton Hall and a subsequent police response. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators occupy Columbia University's library This latest demonstration comes amid increased federal scrutiny. The Trump administration has accused Columbia of failing to protect Jewish students from harassment during past protests. As a result, the administration has cut over $400 million in research funding to the university. Officials have also been pressuring Columbia to prevent further disruptions, especially those perceived as anti-Israel. Videos posted on social media showed protesters carrying backpacks and pushing past a library security guard before heading upstairs. Columbia's public safety officers eventually blocked exits, preventing some demonstrators from leaving. By 4 p.m., police said around 60 individuals were involved. A university spokesperson confirmed that only one reading room was affected and stated that those involved would face disciplinary action. 'It is completely unacceptable that some individuals are choosing to disrupt academic activities,' the university said, as library staff evacuated students.
