Students at a growing number of US colleges are taking a stand against Israel’s actions in Gaza, sparking protests and demands for divestment from companies supporting the conflict. Inspired by ongoing demonstrations and recent arrests at Columbia University, students across the country are setting up camp on campuses, vowing to stay until their demands are met.
The students are calling for universities to cut ties with companies supplying arms to Israel, halt research funding that aids the military, divest from Israeli companies, and be more transparent about financial connections to Israel. Student governments at several colleges have passed resolutions in support of these demands, while university officials are engaging in conversations with protesters while also expressing concerns about antisemitism.
The movement, known as the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, draws parallels between Israel’s actions in Gaza and apartheid in South Africa. Critics of BDS argue that it promotes antisemitism, with some states enacting laws to block support for the movement.
Students pushing for divestment say that universities often have complex financial ties to Israel, making it difficult to track where investments go. Despite resistance from some universities, students are determined to hold their institutions accountable for any role in supporting Israel’s military efforts.
As protests continue and demands for transparency and divestment grow, students are standing firm in their resolve to push for change on their campuses.