Columbia urges students to ‘voluntarily disperse,’ refuses to divest from Israel as talks break down

Israel

Columbia University President Minouche Shafik said she has rejected demands by protesters to divest from Israel , urging them to “voluntarily disperse” as negotiations to dismantle the vast pro-Gaza encampment reached an impasse. Ms. Shafik said Monday that “the University will not divest from Israel ,” ruling out the primary demand being made by protesters in charge of the “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” covering the West Lawn in violation of university rules. She said the university did offer to