Protesters slam Columbia University for hosting "discriminatory" Naftali Bennett

More than 200 pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside Columbia University in New York on Monday to demonstrate against former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett, who was on campus for a speaking engagement.

The protest was organized by groups including the Columbia Palestine Solidarity Coalition, which criticized the university’s decision to host Bennett, calling him a figure with a “violent and openly discriminatory record.” The group argued that allowing him to speak signaled the university’s prioritization of certain voices over others.

Many protesters wore masks or traditional Palestinian keffiyehs, but none agreed to speak with AFP journalists. Police were stationed at the scene to separate the demonstrators from a smaller group of pro-Israel counter-protesters. Despite heightened tensions, no clashes or incidents were reported.

The demonstration took place as Columbia faced growing scrutiny from the Trump administration over its handling of antisemitism on campus. The federal government announced it was considering revoking over $50 million in contracts with the university, accusing it of failing to protect Jewish students amid protests.

Trump wrote on Truth Social that “all federal funding will STOP” for schools that allow “illegal protests.” He warned that foreign agitators could face deportation, while American students participating in such demonstrations could be expelled or arrested.