Harvard students call off protest after university agrees to hold discussions on Middle East conflict

Protesters at Harvard University voluntarily dismantled their encampment in Harvard Yard on Tuesday after university officials agreed to address their concerns about the endowment, marking a peaceful resolution to the demonstrations that have been occurring on college campuses across the country.

The student protest group, Harvard Out of Occupied Palestine, released a statement indicating that the encampment had served its purpose in relation to their demands. In response, Harvard University interim President Alan Garber agreed to facilitate a meeting between the protesters and university officials to discuss the students’ questions.

Similar protests have been taking place at various college campuses this spring, with students calling for their schools to sever ties with Israel and companies that support it.

The latest conflict between Israel and Hamas began when militants entered southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the capture of 250 individuals. The ongoing violence has led to the deaths of over 35,000 people in Gaza, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

Harvard announced that President Garber and the dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Hopi Hoekstra, will engage in discussions with the protesters regarding the Middle East conflict. The students have outlined an agenda for the meeting, which includes topics such as disclosure, divestment, reinvestment, and the establishment of a Center for Palestine Studies.

In addition, Harvard has offered to rescind the suspensions of more than 20 students and student workers, as well as reconsider disciplinary measures for 60 others.

While some, like Harvard alumnus Rotem Spiegler, believe that the protesters should have faced consequences for their disruptive actions, faculty members who supported the demonstration praised the students for their efforts towards divestment from Israel and liberation for Palestine.

At the University of California, Berkeley, students advocating for divestment from companies operating in Israel began dismantling their encampment as university administrators agreed to conduct a thorough review of their investments and socially responsible investment strategy.

Reflecting on the protest at Harvard, student Chloe Gambol emphasized the importance of drawing attention to the situation in Gaza and sparking conversations about the conflict.

Despite differing opinions on the protest, the voluntary dismantling of the encampment at Harvard and other campuses signifies a step towards dialogue and engagement on the complex issues surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict.