5 Palestinian students sue Columbia University for discrimination and repression since 2023

NEW YORK, Aug. 12 (YPA) – Court documents in New York revealed a lawsuit filed in the state Supreme Court by five Palestinian-American academics and current and former students against Columbia University, accusing it of discriminatory treatment and repressive practices against the Palestinian community since late 2023.

The lawsuit accused the university of failing to protect Palestinians from harassment, subjecting them to “unfair and biased hearings,” and employing private investigators to secretly monitor pro-Palestinian students.

The complaint indicated that the university’s Office of Institutional Equality, established in August 2024, routinely investigates those who wear the keffiyeh or participate in demonstrations, based on the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism, which conflates hatred with criticism of the occupation, while ignoring reports of violations submitted by Palestinians.

The lawsuit comes amid widespread protests at the university since the start of the war on Gaza, demanding divestment from the occupation. These protests have been met with measures including the suspension of more than 65 students in May 2025 and the expulsion of others and the university administration declined to comment after previously denying any discriminatory practices.