Increased anger at US universities as Gaza protests intensify | Global News

In recent weeks, several prominent American universities have been rocked by unrest as students and activists occupy campuses, disrupting normal activities. The protests have been fueled by escalating frustrations with university administrations and law enforcement, particularly in solidarity with Palestine.

At Columbia University in New York, tensions have reached a boiling point as protesters demand the university divest from companies profiting from what they term “Israeli apartheid, genocide, and occupation in Palestine.” Pro-Israel advocates and others concerned about campus safety have raised concerns about incidents of anti-Semitism and the fostering of an environment of intimidation and hate speech.

The situation has led to numerous arrests and the suspension of classes at various universities. At New York University (NYU), 133 individuals were arrested and later released with court summonses after escalating protests led to disorderly conduct and provocative behavior, including multiple anti-Semitic incidents.

Meanwhile, on the West Coast, California State Polytechnic University announced its closure due to the occupation of an administrative building by pro-Palestinian demonstrators. The protests have drawn attention from President Joe Biden’s administration, with US Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona condemning anti-Semitic behavior on college campuses.

In response to these events, hundreds of NYU students and faculty staged a walkout, and similar demonstrations have taken place at MIT, the University of Michigan, UC Berkeley, and Yale. The ongoing unrest has sparked significant media and political attention, with House Speaker Mike Johnson condemning the protests as “anti-Semitic mobs” and emphasizing the need for a safe environment for Jewish students.