Columbia University has announced the suspension of two student organizations, Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), citing campus safety concerns. The organizations have been actively leading protests calling for a cease-fire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza, which has claimed the lives of thousands of civilians.

Vice President Gerald Rosberg explained that the suspension was a result of repeated violations of university policies regarding campus events. He highlighted an unauthorized event held by the groups on Thursday, which included intimidating rhetoric and threatening behavior, despite prior warnings.

The protest on Thursday saw hundreds of Columbia students walking out of their classes to advocate for U.S. government support for a cease-fire. Both SJP and JVP have a presence on numerous college campuses across the country, and have been involved in controversial protests against the Israeli and U.S. governments.

The war in Gaza began in early October following a surprise attack by Hamas militants on Israeli border communities, resulting in the deaths of more than a thousand Israeli civilians. In response, Israeli air strikes and a ground campaign have reportedly killed over 10,000 Palestinians, including more than 4,000 children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. It is important to note that Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. government.

Some chapters of SJP have faced accusations of explicitly endorsing Hamas and using anti-Semitic slogans. Politicians, particularly GOP presidential candidates, have criticized students protesting against Israel, with threats to deport foreign students for offensive speech.

JVP describes itself as an "anti-Zionist" Jewish organization, opposing the existence of the Israeli state, which some perceive as anti-Semitic.

Vice President Rosberg emphasized the importance of allowing student groups to engage in debate, advocacy, and protest, especially during such a charged time. However, he underlined the need for members of the community to abide by the rules and cooperate with university administrators in ensuring everyone's safety.

Similar controversies have arisen on other campuses. Last month, the SJP chapter at George Washington University faced sanctions for projecting messages on a university building that some considered anti-Semitic. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ordered public universities in the state to shut down SJP chapters, while Brandeis University in Massachusetts became the first private university to ban the group from its campus.

Both SJP and JVP have been actively involved in protests, including a sit-in at the Capitol Building and demonstrations in Washington. The groups also staged a sit-in at The New York Times headquarters, as well as at Grand Central Station and the Statue of Liberty.

The clash between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli student groups has placed significant pressure on college campuses and administrators, who struggle to uphold free speech while addressing safety concerns. However, this heightened tension has also resulted in an increase in hate crimes, including both anti-Semitic and Islamophobic incidents, prompting FBI Director Christopher Wray to raise concerns about historic levels of anti-Semitism.

Advocates also highlight the discrimination faced by Arab and Muslim Americans, with an increase in anti-Arab hate and rhetoric reminiscent of the aftermath of 9/11. These issues continue to challenge campuses and communities across the nation.