Crackdown on pro-Palestine protests intensifies at Columbia

The Trump administration has intensified its crackdown on pro-Palestine protests at U.S. universities, including Columbia, by canceling $400 million in federal grants. This move aims to protect Israel from scrutiny amid rising support for Palestinian rights. Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian graduate involved in protests, was arrested by immigration agents despite holding a Green Card. The administration's actions reflect a broader effort to conflate anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism, targeting activists and stifling dissent. Public support for Israel has declined, while sympathy for Palestinians has increased. The administration's response to protests has inadvertently amplified awareness of the situation in Gaza, challenging Israel's long-held image as a democratic state.