Isra Hirsi, the daughter of Democratic Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, has been suspended from Barnard College for her involvement in pro-Palestinian demonstrations at Columbia University.
Hirsi, a junior at Barnard in New York City, one of Columbia University’s four undergraduate colleges, announced her suspension on social media, stating she and two other students were penalized for supporting Palestinians.
“I’ve received notice that I am one of three students suspended for standing in solidarity with Palestinians facing genocide,” Hirsi wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. She highlighted her involvement with Columbia University Apartheid Divest and her clean disciplinary record during her time at Barnard.
“In my three years at [Barnard College, I have never been reprimanded or received any disciplinary warnings,” Hirsi wrote.
She said despite the suspension, her advocacy will continue.
“Those of us in Gaza Solidarity Encampment will not be intimidated,” she said. “We will stand resolute until our demands are met. Our demands include divestment from companies complicit in genocide, transparency of [Columbia’s] investments and FULL amnesty for all students facing repression.”
Omar’s Continued Calls for a Cease-Fire
Hirsi’s suspension comes after her mother’s constant calls for a cease-fire. Earlier this month, Omar and 55 other Democratic representatives sent a letter to President Biden and Secretary Blinken, urging them to halt arms assistance to Israel. An Israeli airstrike that killed seven World Central Kitchen humanitarian aid workers, including one American, served as the inspiration for the letter.
The representatives expressed deep concern over Israel’s ongoing blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza, which has exacerbated the region’s descent into famine. They called for a comprehensive investigation into the airstrike and suggested withholding arms transfers to Israel until those responsible are held accountable.
The letter also highlighted the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where over 32,000 people have been killed since the conflict began, nearly half of whom are children. Omar and others noted that Israel’s restrictions on aid flow have further intensified the crisis, with hundreds of aid trucks stranded at the Rafah border crossing due to Israeli constraints.
World Central Kitchen, which has provided over 43 million meals to Palestinians in Gaza, has been forced to suspend its operations following the attacks on aid workers. They said the absence of this critical support will exacerbate the hunger crisis in the region.
The representatives concluded by urging the Biden administration to reconsider its decision to approve new arms transfers to Israel, stressing the need for compliance with U.S. and international law.
“We again strongly urge you to withhold any offensive weapons transfers until the investigation into the airstrike is concluded. If it is found that this strike violated U.S. or international law, those responsible will be held accountable,” Omar and others wrote. “And we again urge you to ensure that any future military assistance to Israel, including already authorized transfers, is subject to conditions to ensure it is used in compliance with U.S. and international law.”
Omar has been advocating for a cease-fire since October and continues to voice her concerns over the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
