Pro-Palestine protests have reached a fever pitch at college campuses across the United States, with around 275 people being arrested over the weekend. What started as demonstrations at Columbia University in New York over a week ago has now spread rapidly to other universities.
At Harvard University, protesters raised a Palestinian flag in a symbolic gesture, replacing the usual spot reserved for the US flag. Additionally, a massive Palestinian flag was unfurled from a top-floor window at the Washington Hilton Hotel, where the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner was being held.
The arrests took place at four separate campuses, with 100 people being detained at Northeastern University in Boston, 80 at Washington University in St. Louis, 72 at Arizona State University, and 23 at Indiana University. Clashes between pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian demonstrators were reported at UCLA, where a tent encampment had been set up the previous week.
President Joe Biden has taken notice of the protests, with the White House emphasizing the importance of peaceful demonstrations. The activists are calling for a ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, as well as for universities to sever ties with Israel and companies profiting from the conflict in Gaza.
The protests present a challenge for university administrators, who must navigate the balance between free expression and concerns of anti-Semitism and hate speech. President Biden recently spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reiterating his stance on a potential invasion of the Gaza border city of Rafah.
The Israel-Hamas conflict began after Hamas launched an attack on Israeli towns, resulting in casualties and hostages. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has led to a significant loss of life in Gaza. The protests in the US reflect the growing concern and activism surrounding the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.