Universities stand against Israel’s massacre
Protests at Columbia University in April sparked a global movement condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza, with demonstrations spreading to numerous countries
Protests at Columbia University in mid-April sparked a global movement, with many condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Some 2,500 people have been arrested in demonstrations at U.S. universities. At the same time, other schools, such as the University of Virginia and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, have also recently witnessed arrests.
At Princeton University, 17 students went on hunger strike, demanding assurances from the administration about its ties to Israel-linked companies, protection for protesting students and amnesty for those already disciplined.
Some universities, such as Columbia, faced police intervention. In contrast, others, such as the University of California’s Riverside campus, responded positively to the students’ demands and agreed to implement a series of actions.
Support for Palestine extended globally, with solidarity camps set up at McGill University in Canada and protests held at universities across Australia, India, the Middle East, Japan, and New Zealand.
Demonstrations erupted at universities in Europe, including France, the U.K., Ireland, Spain, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.
Police intervention was widespread, with clashes reported in Rome, Berlin and Amsterdam.
Academic communities in Italy and the Netherlands called for the suspension of scientific cooperation with Israel, while Jewish academics and students in the Netherlands called on universities to take a firm stand against Israel’s actions.
Canada
Supporters of Palestine at McGill University in Canada set up a camp to show solidarity with Gaza.
The students demanded that the school administration refrain from cooperating with Israeli-linked companies. However, the administration tried to disperse the students with police support.
Australia
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the importance of preserving national unity and warned against actions that could fuel divisions. He noted a worrying increase in both anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.
On the other hand, opposition leader Peter Dutton condemned the university protesters, calling them “racist” and “anti-Semitic”. Dutton’s remarks reflect the debate about the nature and impact of the protests within Australian society.
Japan
In Japan, students from Waseda University in Tokyo protested against Israel’s attacks on civilians in Gaza.
Chanting slogans such as “Free Palestine” and “Save Gaza”, the students reiterated their call for support and solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
India
Students in India showed support for the Palestinian demonstrations in the U.S.
Students at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi organized a protest to express their solidarity with the ongoing demonstrations in Gaza and at Columbia University.
Middle East
At the American University of Beirut in Lebanon, around 150 students unfurled a huge Palestinian flag outside the administration building, chanting “Students and workers against occupation.”
In Tunisia, students united in calling for an end to the conflict, while at the American University in Cairo, Egypt, the student union advocated a weeklong suspension of classes in solidarity with protests in support of Palestine.
Meanwhile, at Kuwait University, students expressed their support for the Columbia University protesters with a banner reading “Kuwait University students support Palestine”: “Kuwait University students to Columbia University students: We stand with you.”
This gesture underscores the interconnectedness of global student movements advocating for Palestinian rights.
Europe
In France, demonstrations in support of Palestine continue at many universities and are often met with harsh police crackdowns.
At the Sorbonne University, police dismantled tents set up by Palestine supporters and used tear gas to disperse demonstrators.
Despite the police crackdown, Sorbonne students organized a protest outside the building where President Emmanuel Macron was speaking, reaffirming their support for Palestine under police supervision.
In the U.K., students at several universities, including University College London (UCL), set up tents and joined the global movement in support of Palestine.
Similar protests took place at Newcastle, Bristol, Warwick, Leeds, Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam universities, echoing calls for Palestinian rights.
At Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, students supporting Palestine organized a protest demanding a break in relations with Israel, setting up tents on campus and chanting slogans condemning Israel’s actions.
In Spain, students at the University of Valencia have started an indefinite sit-in under the banner “No to Israel’s genocide and apartheid” in protest against Israel’s attacks on Palestine.
Students protested in support of Palestine at Humboldt University in Berlin, Germany, chanting slogans against Israel’s actions and demanding an end to Germany’s arms shipments to Israel.
In Rome, Italy, Sapienza University students protested against university agreements with Israel, calling for a suspension of cooperation due to Israel’s actions in Gaza.
At the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, students erected tents and took over a building to protest Israel’s actions in Gaza, demanding an end to scientific collaboration with Israel.
Drawing parallels with the reaction to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Jewish academics and students from various Dutch universities called on their institutions to take a strong stance against Israel until the injustices against Palestinians end.
The devastation inflicted on Palestinian lives by Israel’s relentless attacks on Gaza over the past six months has reached staggering levels. According to reports, over 76,000 Palestinians have been injured and more than 34,000 have tragically lost their lives. The fact that nearly 14,000 children were among the dead underscores the devastating impact of the violence on Gaza’s most vulnerable population.
Source: AA
