(TJV NEWS) As reported by The Post Millennial and based on information released by Columbia University, at least 65 students have been suspended following a violent takeover of Butler Library on Wednesday. An additional 33 individuals, including alumni and people from affiliated institutions, have been banned from campus, university officials confirmed. The action follows Columbia’s pledge to enforce immediate disciplinary measures against those involved.

The disruption occurred while students were preparing for final exams. Dozens of masked demonstrators stormed the library, distributing literature that glorified Basel Al-Araj—a Palestinian man identified by Israeli authorities as a terrorist—while chanting pro-Palestinian slogans and vandalizing school property. Two campus security officers were reportedly assaulted, prompting the university to call in the NYPD, which made 80 arrests: 61 women and 19 men.

During the brief occupation, the protesters renamed the library “Basel Al-Araj Popular University” in honor of the man killed by Israeli forces in 2017, who was accused of directing a terrorist cell. A pamphlet circulated by the group CU Apartheid Divest praised Al-Araj for his resistance activities and accused universities of suppressing pro-Palestinian narratives.

The materials listed several demands: divestment from Israel, removal of law enforcement and immigration authorities from campus, and full amnesty for disciplined students and faculty.

Columbia’s acting president, Claire Shipman, issued a sharp rebuke in response to the incident.

“Disruptions to our academic activities will not be tolerated and are violations of our rules and policies,” she said. “This is especially unacceptable while our students study and prepare for final exams. Columbia strongly condemns violence on our campus, antisemitism, and all forms of hate and discrimination.”

The university’s disciplinary response follows a warning from the Trump administration, which has threatened to pull federal funding from schools that permit antisemitic activity. Columbia has already seen $400 million in federal funding revoked, according to recent reports.

This latest protest echoes events from the prior spring, when a prolonged anti-Israel encampment on campus ended with NYPD intervention after another building occupation turned violent.

In addition, Fox News reported that Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) has requested identifying information from the NYPD, including fingerprints, to verify the visa status of those arrested.