Palestinian students and staff sue Columbia University over alleged discrimination

Court documents in New York have revealed that current and former Palestinian students and staff have filed a lawsuit against Columbia University, alleging that the Palestinian community at the university has faced discriminatory treatment since the end of 2023.

According to Reuters, the lawsuit claims the university failed to protect Palestinian community members from harassment and targeted them through what it described as "unfair and biased disciplinary hearings."

Columbia University has previously denied any discriminatory practices and condemned hatred. Local media reported that the university declined to comment on the pending lawsuit and did not respond to a request for comment from Reuters.

Protests erupted at Columbia University and across the United States after Israel launched its offensive on Gaza following the Hamas attack in October 2023.

Protesters called for an end to US support for Israel and urged universities to divest from companies backing Israel.

In May 2025, Columbia University suspended more than 65 students for their involvement in shutting down the main library during a pro-Palestinian protest. The protest occurred as the university was negotiating with the US administration, which had cut federal funding after accusing the university of tolerating antisemitism during the pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

Protesters, including some Jewish groups, said that opposing Israel's actions in Gaza and its occupation of Palestinian territories should not be equated with antisemitism, and that supporting Palestinian rights should not be confused with endorsing extremism.

Columbia University agreed to pay more than $200 million to the US government to settle federal investigations and restore most federal funding in July last year.

Free speech advocacy groups have condemned Columbia University's crackdown on protests, which saw students arrested, suspended, expelled, and their degrees revoked.