SJP BANNED: Columbia University Suspends Group Behind Pro-HAMAS Rally Attended by New Rochelle Mayor-Elect

School waits a month to address “threatening rhetoric and intimidation” by radical hate group.

NEW YORK, NY (November 11, 2023) — Columbia University has suspended Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace as official student groups through the end of the fall term. The two groups organized the Pro-HAMAS “Day of Resistance” on October 12, five days after the 10/7 terror attacks on Israel by HAMAS.

The rally became an issue in the most recent New Rochelle Mayoral election when video emerged of then-Democratic candidate Yadira Ramos-Herbert intervening on behalf of Pro-HAMAS protesters and against Jewish students. Ramos-Herbert then lied about the video, claiming it was “intentional misreporting”, to say she attended a Pro-HAMAS rally when she did, and was depicted in a TikTok video at the event.

The school knew the “Day of Resistance” was intended to be a celebration of the HAMAS terror attacks on Israel.

Administrators at some U.S. universities criticized the National SJP after it called Hamas’ attack “a historic win for the Palestinian resistance” and called for a “day of resistance” on Oct. 12 with demonstrations by its chapters at over 200 colleges in America and Canada.

“This decision (to suspend) was made after the two groups repeatedly violated University policies related to holding campus events, culminating in an unauthorized event Thursday afternoon that proceeded despite warnings and included threatening rhetoric and intimidation,” said Gerald Rosberg, Senior Executive Vice President of the University and Chair, Special Committee on Campus Safety.

Brandeis University banned its local Students for Justice in Palestine chapter from holding activities on campus.

In a notice to the group obtained by The New York Times, Brandeis faulted the national steering committee for encouraging chapters “in conduct that supports Hamas in its call for the violent elimination of Israel and the Jewish people.” Such behavior, the notice said, was “not protected by the university’s principles.”

In October, University of Florida and University of South Florida deactivated campus chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine based on the organization’s support of terrorism.

The suspension at Columbia means the two groups will not be eligible to hold events on campus or receive University funding. Lifting the suspension will be contingent on the two groups demonstrating a commitment to compliance with University policies and engaging in consultations at a group leadership level with University officials.

“Like all student groups, SJP and JVP are required to abide by University policies and procedures,” said Rosberg. “This ensures both the safety of our community and that core University activities can be conducted without disruption.

“During this especially charged time on our campus, we are strongly committed to giving space to student groups to participate in debate, advocacy, and protest. This relies on community members abiding by the rules and cooperating with University administrators, who have a duty to ensure the safety of everyone in our community.”