Protests on Gaza: Trump cancels $400 million for Columbia University

President Donald Trump's administration has cancelled funds and contracts worth a total of $400 million for Columbia University in New York, due to “inaction against the ongoing persecution of Jewish students”, the General Services Administration (GSA) announced on Friday.

The US government said the canceled funds would be lowered from projects worth a total of $5 billion earmarked for Columbia University. The announcement was made through a joint statement by the Department of Justice, the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services.

Columbia University was placed in the ears of university protests, during which demonstrators sought an end to American support for Israel, due to deaths in the ranks of civilians and the humanitarian crisis caused by Israel's military operation in Gaza.

During the protests and counter-propossesses were charges of anti-Semitism and Islamofobi. Columbia University has earlier said it has made efforts to counter anti-Semitism.

The annulment of these taxpayers' funds is our strongest signal so far that the federal government will not be party to an educational institution like Colombia, which does not protect students and Jewish employees”, said Leo Terrell, head of the anti-Semitism task force.

The specific projects and funds that are being canceled did not immediately become clear.