Isra Hirsi, the daughter of Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), faced a suspension from Barnard College this week due to her involvement in a pro-Palestinian protest.
Hirsi, a junior at Barnard, which is the women’s college affiliated with Columbia University, is actively involved in Apartheid Divest, a student coalition that is advocating for the university to sever its connections with companies that provide support to Israel. As part of their efforts, the group has established a campsite on the university premises.
Hirsi claimed that she was among the three students who faced suspension.
In a recent tweet, she expressed her disbelief and frustration, stating, “I’ve never faced reprimands or disciplinary warnings before. However, I was taken aback when I received a notice informing me that I, along with two other students, have been suspended for showing support to Palestinians who are currently experiencing a genocide.”
The duration of Hirsi’s suspension remains uncertain.
According to a spokesperson from Columbia, students who took part in the “unauthorized encampment” have been suspended.
Barnard declined to comment on confidential student proceedings but referred HuffPost to a statement the school released on Thursday.
HuffPost’s request for comment was not immediately responded to by Omar’s office.
Shafik sent a letter to the deputy commissioner of the New York City Police Department on Thursday, stating that she had given authorization for the police to clear the encampment and remove over 100 protesters.
In her statement, the university official expressed her determination that the encampment and the disruptions it caused were posing a significant threat to the university’s operations. With deep regret, she requested the assistance of the NYPD to remove the individuals involved.