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Netanyahu urges halt to “horrific” pro-Palestinian student protests in US campuses

By Selin Atay
Apr 25, 2024 4:22 PM

Israeli PM Netanyahu labels ongoing student demonstrations against Gaza killings as “antisemitic,” urges cessation

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for an end to what he termed as “horrific” student protests at some university campuses in the United States, expressing concern over ongoing demonstrations against Israel’s killing of civilians in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said  “more has to be done” to stop pro-Palestinian protests that have spread across U.S. campuses in recent weeks.

“What’s happening in America’s college campuses is horrific,” he said in a recorded statement, accusing “antisemitic mobs” of taking over leading universities. 

“The response of several university presidents was shameful. Now, fortunately, state, local, federal officials, many of them have responded differently but there has to be more,” said Netanyahu urging for cessation.

Netanyahu urges halt to "horrific" pro-Palestinian student protests in US campuses
Protesters continue to maintain the encampment on Columbia University campus, after a tense night of negotiations, in support of Palestinians, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in New York City, U.S., April 24, 2024, (REUTERS)

Netanyahu alleged that Israel is “unjustly accused of genocide” and emphasized the need for everyone to condemn the demonstrations he labeled as “antisemitic.”

“It’s unconscionable. It has to be stopped. It has to be condemned and condemned unequivocally,” the Israeli PM said.

Netanyahu urges halt to "horrific" pro-Palestinian student protests in US campuses
Protesters continue to maintain the encampment on Columbia University campus, after a tense night of negotiations, in support of Palestinians, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in New York City, U.S., April 24, 2024, (REUTERS)

On April 18th, pro-Palestinian students at Columbia University initiated a sit-in protest on the campus lawn, protesting the school’s ongoing financial investments in companies supporting the Palestinian occupation and genocide in Gaza.

Statements from U.S. Congress members, the New York Governor’s Office, and the New York City Mayor’s Office accused the students who had been on vigil for a week of displaying “antisemitic” behavior.

Students from New York University hold signs that read "Divest" and chant during a rally as students call for a ceasefire in Gaza, in New York, on October 25, 2023.
Students from New York University hold signs that read “Divest” and chant during a rally as students call for a ceasefire in Gaza, in New York, on October 25, 2023 (Reuters)

Subsequently, demonstrations by Palestinian supporters spread to other prominent U.S. schools including New York University (NYU), Yale, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Tufts University, The New School, and the University of North Carolina.

Source: Newsroom

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Last Updated:  May 31, 2024 8:07 PM