On Thursday, Isra Hirsi, the 21-year-old daughter of Ilhan Omar, a Democratic U.S. Congresswoman from Minnesota, revealed on social media her suspension from Barnard College for participating in unauthorized anti-Israel protests on the Columbia University campus.
Isra Hirsi, who is an organizer for a pro-Palestinian student group at Columbia University called CU Apartheid Divest, stated that she and two other students were suspended for standing in solidarity with Palestinians facing genocide.
The student organization CU Apartheid Divest released a statement indicating that Isra Hirsi and two others received suspension notices from Barnard College Thursday morning. The dean cited their participation in unauthorized camping activities on the Columbia University campus, despite warnings to cease their involvement on April 17.
Dozens of anti-Israel activists staged a protest on Wednesday morning by setting up camp on the main lawn of Columbia University to demonstrate against Israel’s actions in Gaza targeting Hamas militants. The protests continued throughout the night with calls for uprising and the killing of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
This protest followed Columbia University President Minouche Shafik’s testimony before Congress on Wednesday addressing issues of anti-Semitism on campus, which was attended by Ilhan Omar.
Due to the protesters’ refusal to leave the lawn, several individuals connected to the intense protest were eventually arrested by the New York City police on Thursday morning.
Columbia University mentioned in a statement that certain senior staff from Barnard College went to the lawn to urge students participating in the camping activities to leave, warning them of potential consequences if they did not comply.
According to the school, those students also received written warnings that they would face temporary suspension if they did not leave by Wednesday night.