Several students at MIT were suspended following their participation in protests related to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The protest, which involved occupying a key building on campus, led to tensions, particularly after some students did not adhere to a deadline to vacate the premises.
This incident at MIT is part of a wider pattern of campus disruptions linked to the conflict, as seen in recent events at other universities.
At Brandeis University, seven individuals were arrested during a demonstration, coinciding with the university’s ban on a pro-Palestinian student group. Similarly, Brown University saw the arrest of nearly two dozen students over a protest.
Columbia University also took action, suspending two student groups, Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace, for the rest of the term for policy violations, including an unauthorized event.
MIT’s President, Sally Kornbluth, addressed the entire student body to define the acceptable limits of campus protest. The MIT protest, described as loud and disruptive, involved a prolonged occupation of Lobby 7 and attracted counterprotesters.
Following the failure of some protesters to leave after a deadline, the university initially planned to suspend them but later limited the suspension to non-academic activities, considering concerns like visa issues.
Mohamed Mohamed, a leader of the MIT-wide Coalition for Palestine, criticized the administration’s actions, emphasizing the group’s dedication to advocating for Gaza and opposing what they describe as genocide and occupation.
These campus incidents reflect the challenges college administrators face in balancing the right to protest with maintaining order and safety on campus.
Gaza’s main medical facility, Al-Shifa Hospital, has ceased all medical services following a complete power outage and a shortage of medical supplies, according to a spokesperson for the Health Ministry in Gaza.
