Columbia University cancels main commencement after protests that roiled campus for weeks

NEW YORK -- Columbia University is canceling its ample university-wide commencement ceremonial amid ongoing pro-Palestinian protests but volition clasp smaller school-based ceremonies this week and next, the assemblage announced Monday.

"Based connected feedback from our students, we person decided to absorption attraction connected our Class Days and school-level graduation ceremonies, wherever students are honored individually alongside their peers, and to forego the university-wide ceremonial that is scheduled for May 15," Columbia officials said successful a statement.

The protests stem from the struggle that started Oct. 7 erstwhile Hamas militants attacked confederate Israel, sidesplitting astir 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking astir 250 hostages. Vowing to destruct Hamas, Israel launched an violative successful Gaza that has killed much than 34,500 Palestinians, astir two-thirds of them women and children, according to the Health Ministry successful the Hamas-ruled territory. Israeli strikes person devastated the enclave and displaced astir of its inhabitants.

The University of Southern California earlier canceled its main graduation ceremonial portion allowing different commencement activities to continue.