Latest news with #MaryamAlwan
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lawsuit alleges anti-Israel group leaders are 'Hamas' foot soldiers in New York City'
A lawsuit filed in the Southern District of New York last month claims the leaders of several radical anti-Israel groups involved in 18 months of disruptive, violent and antisemitic protests on campuses and in the streets of New York City are "accountable for aiding and abetting Hamas' continuing acts of international terrorism." In purported violation of the Antiterrorism Act and the Alien Tort Statue, the defendants are said to have "acted as Hamas' foot soldiers in New York City," and may have had foreknowledge of the designated foreign terror organization's devastating Oct. 7 attacks. Defendants in the case are Within Our Lifetime and its founder Nerdeen Kiswani, Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and its representative Maryam Alwan, Columbia-Barnard Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) and its representative Cameron Jones, and Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD) and its representative Mahmoud Khalil, who is currently in custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The lawsuit asserts that the associational defendants have "distribute[d] Hamas-created and affiliated propaganda, incite[d] fear and violence, and attack[ed] critical academic, economic, and infrastructure centers in New York City," as well as having "repeatedly terrorized and assaulted Jews across New York City and on Columbia University's campus, physically assaulted Columbia University employees, and illegally seized and damaged public and private property." Duffy Slams Mta Over 'Fact Check' On Anti-israel Mob's Grand Central Takeover The details of the allegations are thorough. To demonstrate how the defendants "resoundingly and knowingly answered Hamas' call to action" on and after Oct. 7, the lawsuit cites how the defendants knowingly "obtain[ed] and disseminat[ed]" a Hamas propaganda document, which contained directions created by the Hamas Media Office for spinning the narrative of their deadly attacks. By "painstakingly follow[ing]" the document, the lawsuit alleges defendants "directly responded to, and followed orders from, Hamas." Read On The Fox News App The lawsuit also supplies several indicators that defendants may have had foreknowledge of the heinous Oct. 7 attack, to include "a highly suggestive social media post published moments before the October 7 attack began" in which Columbia SJP posted on Instagram "We are back!!" after a months-long hiatus. On Oct. 7, Kiswani utilized marketing materials that "would not be released until the next day" in a National Students for Justice in Palestine (NSJP) "Toolkit" demonstrating how SJP organizations across the country could support the Gazan "resistance." Following Oct. 7, Within Our Lifetime promoted a "Day of Rage" in New York City while Columbia SJP and Columbia JVP promoted their own "Day of Resistance." The mere announcements of these events forced closures of Jewish schools and institutions, and "even forced Columbia University – a non-Jewish institution – to close its campus as a safety precaution," while Jewish students "were advised to lock their doors and remain inside for their own safety," according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit names Khalil as the purported leader of Columbia SJP's Day of Resistance. Columbia's Anti-israel Protesters Say Trump Pulling $400 Million In Grants From University Is A 'Scare Tactic' In November 2023, the suit describes how a "'Shut it Down for Palestine' event descended into – as planned – anti-Jewish and vitriolic hatred and threats," with speakers shouting "Death to Jews!" and "encourage[ing] Hamas and… comrades across Columbia's campus to hunt down and assault pro-Israel students." The next day, Columbia University suspended Columbia SJP and Columbia JVP, at which time "Khalil and former members and/or organizers of Columbia SJP became leaders of CUAD." As a result, CUAD "became the primary organizer of the violent and antisemitic protests that would foment terror, sow discord, and disrupt campus life at Columbia for over a year." Khalil would later become the lead negotiator of the Columbia encampment, which the lawsuit notes was "well-supplied with identical tents, toiletries, food, and professional signage." Based on a statement from Shlomi Ziv, a plaintiff in the lawsuit who was held captive by Hamas for 246 days following his kidnapping at the Nova Music Festival, "Hamas and [American Muslims for Palestine (AMP)]/NSJP provided financial, organizational, and other support… for the Encampment." Ziv alleges that his "Hamas captors bragged about having Hamas operatives on American university campuses," and even "showed him Al-Jazeera stories and photographs of protests at Columbia University that were organized by Associational Defendants." Apparent Anti-israel Activists Splash Red Paint On Homes Of Jewish Officials At Brooklyn Museum Given the "legal chasm between independent political advocacy and coordinating with a foreign terrorist organization to seed pro-terror propaganda throughout America's largest city," the lawsuit alleges the defendants' "actions violate the Antiterrorism Act and the law of nations." According to the Jerusalem Post, the National Jewish Advocacy Center, Greenberg Traurig LLP, the Schoen Law Firm, and the Holtzman Vogel Law Firm filed the suit on behalf of plaintiffs who include Ziv, several Columbia University students who have served with the Israel Defense Forces, and a number of American and Israeli citizens whose family members, most of whom are believed dead, remain in Hamas captivity. The lawsuit especially states that Khalil, "on information and belief, directly coordinates with Hamas, AMP/NSJP and/or other agents and affiliates of Hamas and related terrorist organizations." The filers state that his detention by ICE in March may have been "based on many of his actions described in this Complaint." Khalil's involvement in the Columbia protests was cited as a rationale for his removal during his April 11 hearing, when Judge Jamee Comans ruled that Khalil may be deported. Khalil also withheld past employment with the Syrian office in the Beirut British Embassy and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) as well as his membership in the CUAD when applying for a green card. This withholding of information, according to federal officials, made Khalil "inadmissible at the time of his adjustment." Disruptive events in New York City show no signs of abating. In March, students stormed a classroom at Columbia University and took over a building in affiliated Barnard College, where they assaulted an employee. A Within Our Lifetime protest on April 7 "took over" the main concourse of Grand Central Station. Fox News Digital reached out to CUAD, Columbia SJP, Within Our Lifetime, and Columbia-Barnard JVP for comment about the allegations contained within the lawsuit, but received no article source: Lawsuit alleges anti-Israel group leaders are 'Hamas' foot soldiers in New York City'
Fox News
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Lawsuit alleges anti-Israel group leaders are 'Hamas' foot soldiers in New York City'
A lawsuit filed in the Southern District of New York last month claims the leaders of several radical anti-Israel groups involved in 18 months of disruptive, violent and antisemitic protests on campuses and in the streets of New York City are "accountable for aiding and abetting Hamas' continuing acts of international terrorism." In purported violation of the Antiterrorism Act and the Alien Tort Statue, the defendants are said to have "acted as Hamas' foot soldiers in New York City," and may have had foreknowledge of the designated foreign terror organization's devastating Oct. 7 attacks. Defendants in the case are Within Our Lifetime and its founder Nerdeen Kiswani, Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and its representative Maryam Alwan, Columbia-Barnard Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) and its representative Cameron Jones, and Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD) and its representative Mahmoud Khalil, who is currently in custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The lawsuit asserts that the associational defendants have "distribute[d] Hamas-created and affiliated propaganda, incite[d] fear and violence, and attack[ed] critical academic, economic, and infrastructure centers in New York City," as well as having "repeatedly terrorized and assaulted Jews across New York City and on Columbia University's campus, physically assaulted Columbia University employees, and illegally seized and damaged public and private property." The details of the allegations are thorough. To demonstrate how the defendants "resoundingly and knowingly answered Hamas' call to action" on and after Oct. 7, the lawsuit cites how the defendants knowingly "obtain[ed] and disseminat[ed]" a Hamas propaganda document, which contained directions created by the Hamas Media Office for spinning the narrative of their deadly attacks. By "painstakingly follow[ing]" the document, the lawsuit alleges defendants "directly responded to, and followed orders from, Hamas." The lawsuit also supplies several indicators that defendants may have had foreknowledge of the heinous Oct. 7 attack, to include "a highly suggestive social media post published moments before the October 7 attack began" in which Columbia SJP posted on Instagram "We are back!!" after a months-long hiatus. On Oct. 7, Kiswani utilized marketing materials that "would not be released until the next day" in a National Students for Justice in Palestine (NSJP) "Toolkit" demonstrating how SJP organizations across the country could support the Gazan "resistance." Following Oct. 7, Within Our Lifetime promoted a "Day of Rage" in New York City while Columbia SJP and Columbia JVP promoted their own "Day of Resistance." The mere announcements of these events forced closures of Jewish schools and institutions, and "even forced Columbia University – a non-Jewish institution – to close its campus as a safety precaution," while Jewish students "were advised to lock their doors and remain inside for their own safety," according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit names Khalil as the purported leader of Columbia SJP's Day of Resistance. In November 2023, the suit describes how a "'Shut it Down for Palestine' event descended into – as planned – anti-Jewish and vitriolic hatred and threats," with speakers shouting "Death to Jews!" and "encourage[ing] Hamas and… comrades across Columbia's campus to hunt down and assault pro-Israel students." The next day, Columbia University suspended Columbia SJP and Columbia JVP, at which time "Khalil and former members and/or organizers of Columbia SJP became leaders of CUAD." As a result, CUAD "became the primary organizer of the violent and antisemitic protests that would foment terror, sow discord, and disrupt campus life at Columbia for over a year." Khalil would later become the lead negotiator of the Columbia encampment, which the lawsuit notes was "well-supplied with identical tents, toiletries, food, and professional signage." Based on a statement from Shlomi Ziv, a plaintiff in the lawsuit who was held captive by Hamas for 246 days following his kidnapping at the Nova Music Festival, "Hamas and [American Muslims for Palestine (AMP)]/NSJP provided financial, organizational, and other support… for the Encampment." Ziv alleges that his "Hamas captors bragged about having Hamas operatives on American university campuses," and even "showed him Al-Jazeera stories and photographs of protests at Columbia University that were organized by Associational Defendants." Given the "legal chasm between independent political advocacy and coordinating with a foreign terrorist organization to seed pro-terror propaganda throughout America's largest city," the lawsuit alleges the defendants' "actions violate the Antiterrorism Act and the law of nations." According to the Jerusalem Post, the National Jewish Advocacy Center, Greenberg Traurig LLP, the Schoen Law Firm, and the Holtzman Vogel Law Firm filed the suit on behalf of plaintiffs who include Ziv, several Columbia University students who have served with the Israel Defense Forces, and a number of American and Israeli citizens whose family members, most of whom are believed dead, remain in Hamas captivity. The lawsuit especially states that Khalil, "on information and belief, directly coordinates with Hamas, AMP/NSJP and/or other agents and affiliates of Hamas and related terrorist organizations." The filers state that his detention by ICE in March may have been "based on many of his actions described in this Complaint." Khalil's involvement in the Columbia protests was cited as a rationale for his removal during his April 11 hearing, when Judge Jamee Comans ruled that Khalil may be deported. Khalil also withheld past employment with the Syrian office in the Beirut British Embassy and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) as well as his membership in the CUAD when applying for a green card. This withholding of information, according to federal officials, made Khalil "inadmissible at the time of his adjustment." Disruptive events in New York City show no signs of abating. In March, students stormed a classroom at Columbia University and took over a building in affiliated Barnard College, where they assaulted an employee. A Within Our Lifetime protest on April 7 "took over" the main concourse of Grand Central Station. Fox News Digital reached out to CUAD, Columbia SJP, Within Our Lifetime, and Columbia-Barnard JVP for comment about the allegations contained within the lawsuit, but received no response.
Nahar Net
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Facing Trump's threats, Columbia investigates students critical of Israel
by Naharnet Newsdesk 07 March 2025, 12:34 Columbia University senior Maryam Alwan was visiting family in Jordan over winter break when she received an email from the school accusing her of discriminatory harassment. Her supposed top offense: writing an op-ed in the student newspaper calling for divestment from Israel. The probe is part of a flurry of recent cases brought by a new university disciplinary committee — the Office of Institutional Equity — against Columbia students who have expressed criticism of Israel, according to records shared with The Associated Press. In recent weeks, it has sent notices to dozens of students for activities ranging from sharing social media posts in support of Palestinian people to joining "unauthorized" protests. One student activist is under investigation for putting up stickers off campus that mimicked "Wanted" posters, bearing the likenesses of university trustees. Another, the president of a campus literary club, faces sanction for co-hosting an art exhibition in a private building that focused on last spring's occupation of a campus building. In Alwan's case, investigators said the unsigned op-ed in the Columbia Spectator, which also urged the school to curtail academic ties to Israel, may have subjected other students to "unwelcome conduct" based on their religion, national origin or military service. They promised a thorough investigation, with sanctions ranging from a simple warning to expulsion. "It just felt so dystopian to have something go through rigorous edits, only to be labeled discriminatory because it's about Palestine," said Alwan, a Palestinian-American comparative studies major. "It made me not want to write or say anything on the subject anymore." The new disciplinary office is raising alarm among students, faculty and free speech advocates, who accuse the school of bowing to President Donald Trump's threats to slash funding to universities and deport campus "agitators." "Based on how these cases have proceeded, the university now appears to be responding to governmental pressure to suppress and chill protected speech," said Amy Greer, an attorney who is advising students accused of discrimination. "It's operating as a business by protecting its assets ahead of its students, faculty and staff." Columbia is under financial pressure On Monday, federal agencies announced they would consider cutting $51 million in contracts to the school — along with billions more in additional grants — due to its "ongoing inaction in the face of relentless harassment of Jewish students." "We are resolute that calling for, promoting, or glorifying violence or terror has no place at our university," Columbia said in a statement following the announcement. House Republicans have also launched their own review of Columbia's disciplinary process. Their most recent letter gave administrators until Feb. 27 to turn over student disciplinary records for nearly a dozen campus incidents, including protests it claimed "promoted terrorism and vilified the U.S. military," as well as the off-campus art exhibition. A spokesperson for Columbia declined to specify what, if any, records were turned over to Congress and whether they included the names of students. The spokesperson also declined to comment any on pending investigation of students. The new disciplinary committee was created last summer to "fairly and expeditiously" address cases of discrimination, with the first notices going out in late November. Under its policy, speech against another country may be considered harassment if "directed at or infused with discriminatory comments about persons from, or associated with, that country." Jewish students at Columbia are among those who have received the notices for taking part in pro-Palestinian protests. Other Jewish students have said that rhetoric at protests has crossed into antisemitism and that the administration has been too tolerant of demonstrators who created a hostile environment for people who support Israel. In August, Columbia's task force on antisemitism issued a report that said Jews and Israelis at the school were ostracized from student groups, humiliated in classrooms and subjected to verbal abuse as pro-Palestinian demonstrations shook the campus. In one instance, pro-Palestine protesters forced their way into a campus building, prompting university to call in the police and shut down campus. The task force has also offered its own definition of antisemitism, which includes discrimination or exclusion based on "real or perceived ties to Israel," as well as "certain double standards applied to Israel," such as calls for divestment solely from the country. That definition was intended to apply to education and training, rather than discipline, according to the task force. Disciplinary committee works in secret Under the office's policies, students are required to sign a nondisclosure agreement before accessing case materials or speaking with investigators, ensuring the process has remained shrouded in secrecy since it began late last year. Aspect of the committee's work were first reported this week by the online publication Drop Site News. Those who have met with investigators say they were asked to name other people involved in pro-Palestinian groups and protests on campus. They said the investigators did not provide clear guidance on whether certain terms — such as "Zionist" or "genocide" — would be considered harassment. Several students and faculty who spoke with the AP said the committee accused them of participating in demonstrations they did not attend or helping to circulate social media messages they did not post. Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate student who served as a negotiator for pro-Palestinian protesters during the previous spring's encampment, said he was accused by the office of misconduct just weeks before his graduation this December. "I have around 13 allegations against me, most of them are social media posts that I had nothing to do with," he said. After refusing to sign the nondisclosure agreement, Khalil said the university put a hold on his transcript and threatened to block him from graduating. But when he appealed the decision through a lawyer, they eventually backed down, Khalil said. "They just want to show Congress and right-wing politicians that they're doing something, regardless of the stakes for students," Khalil said. "It's mainly an office to chill pro-Palestine speech." According to some students, the disciplinary push may be reigniting the pro-Palestinian protest movement that roiled campuses last year. In recent days, students have occupied multiple buildings at Barnard College, an affiliate of Columbia University, to protest the expulsion of two students accused of disrupting an Israeli history class. Several students were arrested following an hourslong takeover of a building Wednesday night.
The Guardian
06-03-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Columbia University investigates students critical of Israel amid Trump's threats
Columbia University senior Maryam Alwan was visiting family in Jordan over winter break when she received an email from the school accusing her of harassment. Her supposed top offense: writing an Op-Ed in the student newspaper calling for divestment from Israel. The investigation is part of a flurry of recent cases brought by a new university disciplinary committee – the Office of Institutional Equity – against Columbia students who have expressed criticism of Israel, according to records shared with The Associated Press. In recent weeks, it has sent notices to dozens of students for activities ranging from sharing social media posts in support of Palestinian people to joining 'unauthorized' protests. One student activist is under investigation for putting up stickers off campus that mimicked 'Wanted' posters, bearing the likenesses of university trustees. Another, the president of a campus literary club, faces sanction for co-hosting an art exhibition off campus that focused on last spring's occupation of a campus building. In Alwan's case, investigators said the unsigned op-ed in the Columbia Spectator, which also urged the school to curtail academic ties to Israel, may have subjected other students to 'unwelcome conduct' based on their religion, national origin or military service. 'It just felt so dystopian to have something go through rigorous edits, only to be labeled discriminatory because it's about Palestine,' said Alwan, a Palestinian-American comparative studies major. 'It made me not want to write or say anything on the subject anymore.' The committee informed her that possible sanctions for violating school policy ranged from a simple warning to expulsion. The new disciplinary office is raising alarm among students, faculty and free speech advocates, who accuse the school of bowing to Donald Trump's threats to slash funding to universities and deport campus 'agitators'. 'Based on how these cases have proceeded, the university now appears to be responding to governmental pressure to suppress and chill protected speech,' said Amy Greer, an attorney who is advising students accused of discrimination. 'It's operating as a business by protecting its assets ahead of its students, faculty and staff.' On Monday, federal agencies announced they would consider cutting $51m in contracts to the school – along with billions more in additional grants – due to its 'ongoing inaction in the face of relentless harassment of Jewish students'. 'We are resolute that calling for, promoting, or glorifying violence or terror has no place at our university,' Columbia said in a statement following the announcement. House Republicans have also launched their own review of Columbia's disciplinary process. Their most recent letter gave administrators until 27 February to turn over student disciplinary records for nearly a dozen campus incidents, including protests it claimed 'promoted terrorism and vilified the US military', as well as the off-campus art exhibition. A spokesperson for Columbia declined to specify what, if any, records were turned over to Congress and whether they included the names of students, adding that they could not comment on pending investigations. The new disciplinary committee was created last summer. According to the university's updated harassment policy, criticism of another country's policies could be considered harassment if 'directed at or infused with discriminatory comments about persons from, or associated with, that country'. The policy notes that 'the use of code words may implicate' it. Jewish students at Columbia are among those who have received the notices for taking part in pro-Palestinian protests. Other Jewish students have said that rhetoric at protests has crossed into antisemitism and that the administration has been too tolerant of demonstrators who created a hostile environment for people who support Israel. Sign up to This Week in Trumpland A deep dive into the policies, controversies and oddities surrounding the Trump administration after newsletter promotion Under the office's policies, students are required to sign a non-disclosure agreement before accessing case materials or speaking with investigators, ensuring the process has remained shrouded in secrecy since it began late last year. Aspect of the committee's work were first reported this week by the online publication Drop Site News. Those who have met with investigators say they were asked to name other people involved in pro-Palestinian groups and protests on campus. They said the investigators did not provide clear guidance on whether certain terms – such as 'Zionist' or 'genocide' – would be considered harassment. Several students and faculty who spoke with the AP said the committee accused them of participating in demonstrations they did not attend or helping to circulate social media messages they did not post. Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate student who served as a negotiator for pro-Palestinian protesters during the previous spring's encampment, said he was accused by the office of misconduct just weeks before his graduation this December. 'I have around 13 allegations against me, most of them are social media posts that I had nothing to do with,' he said. After refusing to sign the non-disclosure agreement, Khalil said the university put a hold on his transcript and threatened to block him from graduating. But when he appealed the decision through a lawyer, they eventually backed down, Khalil said. 'They just want to show Congress and right-wing politicians that they're doing something, regardless of the stakes for students,' Khalil said. 'It's mainly an office to chill pro-Palestine speech.' According to some students, the disciplinary push may be reigniting the pro-Palestinian protest movement that roiled campuses last year. In recent days, students have occupied multiple buildings at Barnard College, an affiliate of Columbia University, to protest the expulsion of two students accused of disrupting an Israeli history class. Several students were arrested following an hourslong takeover of a building Wednesday night.
Arab News
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Facing Trump's threats, Columbia investigates students critical of Israel
NEW YORK: Columbia University senior Maryam Alwan was visiting family in Jordan over winter break when she received an email from the school accusing her of harassment. Her supposed top offense: writing an op-ed in the student newspaper calling for divestment from Israel. The probe is part of a flurry of recent cases brought by a new university disciplinary committee — the Office of Institutional Equity — against Columbia students who have expressed criticism of Israel, according to records shared with The Associated Press. In recent weeks, it has sent notices to dozens of students for activities ranging from sharing social media posts in support of Palestinian people to joining 'unauthorized' protests. One student activist is under investigation for putting up stickers off campus that mimicked 'Wanted' posters, bearing the likenesses of university trustees. Another, the president of a campus literary club, faces sanction for co-hosting an art exhibition off campus that focused on last spring's occupation of a campus building. In Alwan's case, investigators said the unsigned op-ed in the Columbia Spectator, which also urged the school to curtail academic ties to Israel, may have subjected other students to 'unwelcome conduct' based on their religion, national origin or military service. 'It just felt so dystopian to have something go through rigorous edits, only to be labeled discriminatory because it's about Palestine,' said Alwan, a Palestinian-American comparative studies major. 'It made me not want to write or say anything on the subject anymore.' The committee informed her that possible sanctions for violating school policy ranged from a simple warning to expulsion. The new disciplinary office is raising alarm among students, faculty and free speech advocates, who accuse the school of bowing to President Donald Trump's threats to slash funding to universities and deport campus 'agitators.' 'Based on how these cases have proceeded, the university now appears to be responding to governmental pressure to suppress and chill protected speech,' said Amy Greer, an attorney who is advising students accused of discrimination. 'It's operating as a business by protecting its assets ahead of its students, faculty and staff.' Columbia is under financial pressure On Monday, federal agencies announced they would consider cutting $51 million in contracts to the school — along with billions more in additional grants — due to its 'ongoing inaction in the face of relentless harassment of Jewish students.' 'We are resolute that calling for, promoting, or glorifying violence or terror has no place at our university,' Columbia said in a statement following the announcement. House Republicans have also launched their own review of Columbia's disciplinary process. Their most recent letter gave administrators until Feb. 27 to turn over student disciplinary records for nearly a dozen campus incidents, including protests it claimed 'promoted terrorism and vilified the US military,' as well as the off-campus art exhibition. A spokesperson for Columbia declined to specify what, if any, records were turned over to Congress and whether they included the names of students, adding that they could not comment on pending investigations. The new disciplinary committee was created last summer. According to the university's updated harassment policy, criticism of another country's policies could be considered harassment if 'directed at or infused with discriminatory comments about persons from, or associated with, that country.' The policy notes that 'the use of code words may implicate' it. Jewish students at Columbia are among those who have received the notices for taking part in pro-Palestinian protests. Other Jewish students have said that rhetoric at protests has crossed into antisemitism and that the administration has been too tolerant of demonstrators who created a hostile environment for people who support Israel. Disciplinary committee works in secret Under the office's policies, students are required to sign a non-disclosure agreement before accessing case materials or speaking with investigators, ensuring the process has remained shrouded in secrecy since it began late last year. Aspect of the committee's work were first reported this week by the online publication Drop Site News. Those who have met with investigators say they were asked to name other people involved in pro-Palestinian groups and protests on campus. They said the investigators did not provide clear guidance on whether certain terms — such as 'Zionist' or 'genocide' — would be considered harassment. Several students and faculty who spoke with the AP said the committee accused them of participating in demonstrations they did not attend or helping to circulate social media messages they did not post. Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate student who served as a negotiator for pro-Palestinian protesters during the previous spring's encampment, said he was accused by the office of misconduct just weeks before his graduation this December. 'I have around 13 allegations against me, most of them are social media posts that I had nothing to do with,' he said. After refusing to sign the non-disclosure agreement, Khalil said the university put a hold on his transcript and threatened to block him from graduating. But when he appealed the decision through a lawyer, they eventually backed down, Khalil said. 'They just want to show Congress and right-wing politicians that they're doing something, regardless of the stakes for students,' Khalil said. 'It's mainly an office to chill pro-Palestine speech.' According to some students, the disciplinary push may be reigniting the pro-Palestinian protest movement that roiled campuses last year. In recent days, students have occupied multiple buildings at Barnard College, an affiliate of Columbia University, to protest the expulsion of two students accused of disrupting an Israeli history class. Several students were arrested following an hourslong takeover of a building Wednesday night.
