Protesters burn diplomas and clash with police at Columbia University graduation

On May 21, 2025, chaos erupted outside Columbia University in the United States during its annual commencement ceremony when anti-Israel protests became unruly. A group of demonstrators, many wearing masks and keffiyehs, ripped up and set diplomas on fire in protest over the celebration of Professor Zvi Galil. The demonstration was linked to condemnation of the Trump administration's efforts to deport Mahmoud Khalil, a former student and activist for the Columbia University Apartheid Divest group, who faced deportation due to allegations of involvement with Hamas activities. The protest was organized by CUAD, which had called for disruption ahead of the ceremony. Protesters engaged in aggressive chants such as "Free, free Palestine" and accusations against the university for allegedly honoring a person they deemed a war criminal. The NYPD took action as tensions escalated, leading to at least two arrests and clashes with police as protesters attempted to break through barriers. Despite the protests, the commencement ceremony proceeded with approximately 12,000 graduates in attendance along with their families. However, student dissent was palpable, as some attendees attempted to interrupt the acting president’s remarks. This incident was part of a series of protests that had been ongoing at the university since the escalation of conflict in Gaza, reflecting broader national student activism related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Students had previously interrupted events and held protests, aggressively voicing their political views directly tied to recent events in the Middle East. The university administration, while praising the event's overall success, acknowledged the protests as a challenging aspect of campus life, reiterating its commitment to maintaining order during significant events and supporting the right to free speech. While some alumni and graduates expressed disappointment over the incident, the university's representative stated that the planned festivities proceeded largely as expected. The protests demonstrated the growing tensions over U.S. foreign policy toward Israel, as well as the students' rights to express dissenting views. This situation encapsulated the ongoing friction within higher education institutions regarding international conflicts and resulted in discussions on how universities might reconcile celebrating academic achievements amidst political unrest on their campuses.