Columbia punished students for protesting Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza, escalating a growing crackdown on campus dissent.

Palestine protesters occupied Columbia University’s main library Wednesday, according to a law enforcement official, a show of force by the school as it tries to demonstrate its commitment to the White House to fighting antisemitism.

Columbia University has escalated its crackdown on pro-Palestine demonstrators, suspending students and banning alumni after a peaceful protest inside Butler Library — a move critics say mirrors growing US authoritarianism against dissent.