Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), an anti-Israel group at Columbia University, has suspended negotiations with school leaders after accusing administrators of threatening to use force to remove them from an on-campus encampment. The group demands a written commitment that the NYPD or National Guard will not be deployed against them.
Columbia University's Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) has abruptly halted negotiations with school leaders, demanding a written pledge that the university will not use force to remove them from their encampment on the West Lawn. The group's decision stems from accusations that administrators threatened to arrest or forcibly remove protesters if they did not comply with university regulations.
"Since good faith negotiations are impossible if one side threatens to use force to extract concessions, the student negotiating team has left the table and refuses to return until there is a written commitment that the administration will not be unleashing the NYPD or National Guard on its students," SJP announced in a statement released early Wednesday morning.
The SJP and allied groups have been occupying the West Lawn since last week in protest against Israel's military response to a deadly Hamas terrorist invasion on Oct. 7, 2023. The groups have accused Israel of launching a "genocidal assault" in Gaza, referring to the Israeli Defense Forces' retaliation to the invasion, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 Israelis and the kidnapping of more than 200.
In their statement, SJP also condemned what they characterized as "the university administration's complicity with the Israeli government's crimes against humanity." The group accused Columbia of fostering an environment "hostile to Palestinian rights" and of suppressing free speech by limiting the scope of discussions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
University spokesperson Jennifer Ryan issued a statement in response to SJP's allegations, assuring students that "the university respects the rights of students to engage in peaceful protest." However, she emphasized that "occupying university buildings is not a permissible form of protest" and that "the university will take appropriate steps to ensure that the safety and security of the campus community is maintained."
Ryan added that the university has been working with SJP and other student groups to provide them with "alternative platforms for expressing their views" and that the administration remains "committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive campus environment."
SJP's decision to suspend negotiations has raised concerns among some students and faculty members who worry that it could escalate tensions on campus and further polarize the community. The group's demands have also been met with criticism from others who question the legitimacy of their accusations and the appropriateness of their tactics.
It remains unclear whether Columbia University will accede to SJP's demands and provide the written commitment the group is seeking. The situation is expected to continue to evolve in the coming days and weeks, with both SJP and the university administration facing pressure to find a resolution that satisfies all parties involved.
