The latest scandal in Columbia sees over 65 students, including Maggie Gyllenhaal's daughter

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators are arrested by the NYPD after taking part in a demonstration in Butler Library on the Columbia University campus in New York, USA, on May 7, 2025. Reuters/Dana Edwards

I24 messages – In the most recent anti-Semitism scandal of the prestigious New York institution, the Columbia University set dozens of students and the campus alumni and others who took part in a chaotic and violent anti-Israel incident in the school's main library at the beginning of the week.

On May 7, the mob dressed with masks forced into the library and injured two public security officers. As soon as they were inside, they destroyed property, adorned the premises with Palestinian flags, criticized “Columbia will burn” on a glass case and declared the library as “liberated zone”.

Around 75 demonstrators were arrested after refusing to comply with police guidelines, including Ramona Sarsgaard, the daughter of Hollywood A-Lister Maggie Gyllenhaal and actor Peter Sarsgaard.

The Ivy League University in Manhattan declined how long the disciplinary measures would be, and only said that the decisions are pending further investigations.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that his office would check the visa status of those who have taken part in the takeover of the library for possible deportation.