Claire Shipman acknowledges detained anti-Israel protester Mahmoud Khalil, says democratic norms 'cannot be taken for granted,' as some boo and protesters gather outside campus The post Columbia U president backs international students amid protests at commencement appeared first on The Times of Israel.

Claire Shipman, the acting president of Columbia University, was met with boos and chants of “Free Mahmoud” as she prepared to speak at the university’s graduation ceremony on Tuesday.

Claire Shipman, the university’s acting president, noted the absence of Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate who continues to be detained by immigration authorities.