Ilhan Omar’s Daughter Suspended from University for Gaza Protest
Isra Hirsi, the daughter of American Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, shared that she has been suspended from Columbia University and Barnard College in New York after taking part in a pro-Palestine protest on Thursday.
When discussing the situation, Hirsi explained that she was one of three students who had been suspended for showing support for Palestinians who are experiencing a genocide.
According to Hirsi, in her three years at Columbia University, she has been actively involved in Columbia University Apartheid Divest without facing any reprimands or disciplinary actions. The group works towards advocating for the university to divest from companies that are involved in genocide.
“Those of us in Gaza Solidarity Encampment will not be intimidated. We will stand resolute until our demands are met,” Hirsi added.
“Our demands include divestment from companies complicit in genocide, transparency of @Columbia’s investments and FULL amnesty for all students facing repression.”
Hirsi, who is also an environmental activist, was among the 180 pro-Palestinian students who formed an encampment at Columbia University on Wednesday morning, ahead of University President Nemat Minouche Shafik’s testimony on Capitol Hill regarding allegations of antisemitism at the institution.
Over 100 protesters were arrested on grounds of trespassing.
The activist has since received a barrage of hate comments online, as he mother has in the past.
Omar has been vocal about the United States’ policy toward Israel since it began its war on Gaza. The politician has noted fears for her family after receiving threats for critiquing Israel’s occupation of Palestine.
In a community update, Barnard College responded to the “unauthorised encampment”, stating that the university had made “multiple requests” for participating students to leave the lawn and advised them that they would face sanctions if they did not comply.
“We started to place identified Barnard students remaining in the encampment on interim suspension, and we will continue to do so.”
The college’s Student Government Association condemned the suspensions as “illegitimate” and a violation of “the sanctity of the academic institution and its purpose to facilitate open dialogue”.
Since 7 October, Colombia University has been a centre for protests for and against Israel’s war on Gaza. But the institution has been scrutinised for its attempts to crack down on these demonstrations.
