Columbia University student demonstrators face expulsion for Hamilton Hall takeover

“This is about responding to the actions of the protesters, not their cause.

“As we said yesterday, disruptions on campus have created a threatening environment for many of our Jewish students and faculty.”

He added: “Students occupying the building face expulsion. Protesters were informed that their participation in the encampment violated numerous university policies. We gave everyone at the encampment the opportunity to leave peacefully.”

Anti-Israel protesters occupy space at an entrance to Hamilton Hall at Columbia University (Photo: Getty)Getty Images

Late on Tuesday, a large number of NYPD officers, estimated by some to be in the hundreds, raided the Columbia University building being occupied by anti-Israel protesters demonstrating against the war in Gaza. Dozens of people were arrested.

Students began their occupation of Hamilton Hall, Columbia’s main administrative building, earlier in the day.

The takeover resulted in the university restricting access to the campus, only allowing students who live in dormitories and essential services staff to stay.

Student protesters camp near the entrance to the Hamilton Hall building at Columbia (Photo: Getty)Getty Images

The university also moved some graduate programmes online and restricted access to all main campus libraries.

A statement from the university said: “There is no additional access to the Morningside campus. This access restriction will remain in place until circumstances allow otherwise.”