Overview

• Columbia University's handling of Israel-Gaza conflict protests sparks controversy, with recent student suspensions and disciplinary actions ahead of a congressional hearing.
• President Minouche Shafik to testify before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, facing scrutiny over the university's response to antisemitism and freedom of speech issues.
• Tensions remain high on campus as students express fear and division, with incidents of harassment and protests affecting Jewish and Palestinian students alike.
• Legal actions and investigations underway at Columbia, including a lawsuit challenging the suspension of pro-Palestinian student groups and a separate inquiry into a noxious chemical spray incident.
• National context shows other universities also taking strict measures against pro-Palestine advocacy, reflecting a broader clampdown on campus activism.