Here in New York, hundreds of protesters rallied in Manhattan’s Union Square Tuesday to demand an end to Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. Separately, protesters rallied outside the United Nations demanding U.N. leaders take stronger action to end Israel’s siege. Meanwhile, Columbia University informed nearly 80 students that they had been suspended for one to three years — or expelled. The university sent the notices to students who participated in a May teach-in about Palestine in honor of the writer and freedom fighter Bassel al-Araj, who was assassinated by Israel in 2017. Separately, Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill Tuesday, demanding an end to U.S. support for Israel’s assault on Gaza.

Mahmoud Khalil: “To be honest, like, I feel that this is my duty to continue advocating for Palestinians. This is what the Trump administration tried to do. They tried to silence me. But I’m here to say that we will continue to resist. We are not backing down, and I will continue the work that I’ve been doing, which is advocating for the rights of Palestinians.”