Hirsi is a sophomore at Barnard,

Hirsi, a student at the all-women’s liberal arts college affiliated with Columbia University on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, posted on her social media about getting suspended. She, along with two others, got suspended for supporting Palestinians facing genocide.

Hirsi did not provide further specifics on the reason for or length of the suspension. Barnard College has yet to release an official statement. Hirsi is a member of the group Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine and an organizer with the Apartheid Divest coalition, which pressures universities to cut investments connected to Israel. This current suspension was her first disciplinary action in three years as a student, Hirsi claimed.

The suspension came on the same day as major protests at Columbia University itself in support of Palestinians, as part of the broader conflict playing out in the Middle East. For over 16 hours starting Wednesday morning, dozens of student activists maintained an encampment on Columbia’s main outdoor plaza. They demanded the university administration divest from corporations that profit from Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and its treatment of Palestinians.

The Columbia protesters set up about 50 tents decorated with Palestinian flags and slogans like “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” They led chants and listened to speakers condemn Israeli policies and Western media coverage throughout the day and night.

University authorities ordered the activist encampment dismantled early Thursday morning. New York Police Department officers in riot gear moved in around 5 a.m., arresting seven people and removing the tents. The university suspended the students involved for defying school policies about camping on campus.

In An Official Statement,

Columbia defended the police intervention and suspensions as necessary to prevent unlawful occupation of university property. They stated that the activists had ignored multiple requests to leave voluntarily before arrests were made.

The conflict in Israel and Palestine has sparked intense debate and activism at many American universities this month. There have been widespread calls, including from some Columbia faculty, for administrations to reassess their financial connections to Israel and take concrete action against the violence affecting Palestinians.

But university presidents have also had to balance these demands with concerns about potential antisemitism underlying some criticism of Israel. Columbia’s president was just testifying to Congress this week about her school’s policies against harassment and hate speech directed at Jewish students.

Representative Omar herself has likewise faced accusations of antisemitism for past statements related to Israel, though she has apologized and said her aim is to promote human rights rather than discriminate. As a member of the progressive group of Congresswomen of color known as “The Squad,” Omar has frequently spoken out about injustices suffered by Palestinians during her time in office.

Omar & Daughter’s Democratic Socialist Advocacy

Omar and her daughter both openly identify with democratic socialism and utilize their prominent platforms to advocate sweeping political change in both domestic and foreign arenas. But Hirsi’s suspension indicates there may be limits placed on that activism when it clashes with university regulations or values.

It remains to be seen whether Hirsi or the other suspended Barnard students will face additional disciplinary consequences for their solidarity with Palestinians. Without more details on the exact circumstances, the length of the suspensions and possibility for appeal or further punishment is unclear. This event does illustrate the increasingly heated activism around Israel-Palestine issues on prominent American campuses.

The suspensions have already brought more attention to the Barnard students’ causes, with some calling them politically motivated overreach. As word spreads online about Hirsi’s suspension, she and her fellow activists may gain support from those concerned about silencing Palestinian perspectives or punishing civil disobedience. If their aim was to raise awareness and pressure their university, this initial disciplinary action could ironically advance those goals.

Going forward,

Barnard College will likely need to clearly communicate the rationale for suspending Hirsi and the other students. Regardless of one’s views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the school should aim to apply consistent standards for political speech and conduct by students. Any appearance of targeting certain activists for their stances could undermine Barnard’s reputation for open inquiry and discourse around complex global issues.

The school may also consider providing forums for reasoned debate around calls for divestment related to Israel and Palestine. While Columbia University has so far rejected demands to cut financial ties, engaging student activists in dialogue could reduce protests that disrupt campus life. Barnard could likewise have avoided escalating tensions with more proactive communication before resorting to suspending students.

As for Representative Omar, she does not appear to have released any public statement regarding her daughter’s suspension as of yet. In the past, Omar has advocated for peace and justice in the Israel-Palestine conflict while facing her own allegations of antisemitism. The congresswoman will likely watch closely as this situation develops to ensure her daughter is treated fairly despite their polarizing activism.

This latest flare-up of tensions around Palestine solidarity protests has put both Barnard and Columbia University in a difficult position. The schools must balance free speech, open debate of complex issues, campus order, and fair treatment of all students and perspectives. Their handling of this event and its fallout will say much about their values and ability to navigate one of the most divisive topics in global politics. I sincerely hope you find this “Ilhan Omar’s Daughter Suspended, What Happened at Columbia University?” article.

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