Student government leader at University of Michigan impeached over Israel divestment

The leader of the student government at the University of Michigan, Alifa Chowdhury, has been impeached by the student assembly for withholding student funding over demands the university boycott Israel.

Chowdhury was impeached for “dereliction of duty” in an overwhelming vote, The New York Times reports.

Chowdhury was elected last year on a promise to divest from companies connected to Israel in a vote that had a small turnout. The university refused, and the student government blocked $1.3 million in funding to clubs in response.

The stalemate prompted backlash, leading to Chowdhury’s impeachment.

Chowdhury was elected when anti-Israel activism rocked campuses across the US amid the war in Gaza. That movement has receded this year, although protests have lingered, and on many campuses core groups of activists have continued to push hardline policies targeting Israel.